Southern Oregon survives extra innings to keep bid alive for a 4th NAIA softball World Series title

Southern Oregon

softball is still standing, notching a third consecutive elimination-bracket win to stay alive in the NAIA World Series on Monday.

It was another nail-biting battle for the No. 3-seeded Raiders, who prevailed over No. 6 Marian 7-6 in nine innings.

Senior center fielder Sarah Kerling, who went 4-for-6 with three RBIs, sent a walk-off hit deep to center field in the ninth inning to secure the victory.

Southern Oregon has developed a reputation as a NAIA softball powerhouse,

winning championships in 2019, 2021, and 2023

. Monday’s win brings the Raiders closer to a chance at a fourth.

WALK-OFF WINNER!!!

@SOU_Softball

will be among the last 4 teams standing at the

#NAIASoftball

World Series!

pic.twitter.com/ACLkgCTvVW

SOU started the game hot, sprinting to a 5-0 lead before Marian responded with six runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Raiders stayed alive in their half of the seventh when Faith Moultrie delivered a run-scoring single to tie the game at 6-6.

Southern Oregon Ayla Davies gave the Raiders a chance in extra innings by setting down six of seven hitters.

SOU pounced in the bottom of the ninth. Sammie Pemberton was walked to begin the bottom of the ninth. A sacrifice bunt from Brooke Nordahl allowed her to reach third base and paved the way for Kerling‘s heroics to close out the game.

The Raiders ended Marian’s tournament run, avenging a 12-inning, 3-2 loss to the Knights in the World Series opener.

Next, SOU will face No. 2 Georgia Gwinnett at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The winner faces the Eastern Oregon-Oklahoma City loser at 1 p.m. for a chance to reach the championship game.

Eastern Oregon and Oklahoma City, the only two unbeaten teams remaining in the tournament, play each other at 8 a.m. The winner advances to Wednesday’s championship game, with two chances to win the title.

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