Softball | 5/12/2002 6:35:00 PM

Box Score MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – A pitching dual kept the game close, but the No. 1 seed Barry University capitalized on a Valdosta State error in the first inning and defeated the Blazers 1-0 win the championship of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament Sunday at Buccaneer Field.

"It was a pitcher's dual again today, but we were able to capitalize on one of their mistakes," head coach Shelly Lis said. "There are obviously quality pitchers in the regional tournament and we saw two of the best in today's game."

In the first inning, the Buccaneer defense allowed one hit early, but were able to escape the inning without giving up a run. However, in the bottom half of the first, the Bucs got a leadoff double to left center from shortstop K.D. Smith. Later in the inning, Lindsey Rhodes reached on a three-base error by first baseman Ashley Thierer that allowed Smith to score the winning run.

"I just wanted to get on base," Smith said. "I knew if we got them in the first inning that we would be okay. That's just my job: to leadoff."

Behind the pitching of the South Region Tournament MVP Geralyn Elam and the Buccaneer defense, the first inning excitement was all the offensive punch Barry needed for the 1-0 victory

"I felt really pumped up today and I think everyone felt pumped up," Elam said. "It's easy to go in and throw when you have such a strong defense behind you."

It was a tough loss for Valdosta coach Kendra McDaniel. Though she commended Barry's effort in today's game, she also said her team wasn't in the game mentally.

"We didn't stay disciplined and Barry did," McDaniel said. "They did their job and we didn't do ours. The drive and intensity were there, but the players weren't. We made an error that allowed them to score and then we didn't put the bat on the ball.

"I think there were other factors going into this game that took us away from our goal, but I wish Barry the best of luck and hope they represent the South Region well."

Senior pitcher Lindsay Ellingsworth agreed with her coach's assessment of the game.

"I didn't think we were going to have any problems with their hitters at all. I was just concerned with why we weren't hitting the ball," Ellingsworth said. "It was fun being here. As a team, these last few weeks have been a lot more fun, but today it was not about coming out here and having fun. It was about beating Barry and that kind of took our minds off our goal."

Smith paced the Buccaneer winning efforts tallying two of Barry's four hits on the day. She went two-for-three with a double and a run scored. Elam (31-4) led the Buccaneer contingent on the South Region All-Tournament team by tossing four straight complete game shutouts including two straight perfect games to open the tournament. She finished the day allowing the Blazers three hits, while striking out 10.

The Blazers only managed three hits on the day, one each by Ellingsworth, Katherine Wyatt, and Tonya Coffey. Ellingsworth (19-5) also took the loss for Valdosta giving up one unearned run on four hits.

Barry (43-13) advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament hosted in Salem, Va., May 16-20 while Valdosta ends its season with a 45-21 record.

Coach Lis says her team has now accomplished two of the goals set earlier in the season and is excited about having the opportunity to represent Barry at the national tournament.

"I'm definitely looking forward to going to Salem. We have accomplished two of our goals by winning the SSC Championship and the South Region Championship and now we have one more to accomplish," Lis said. "We will enjoy the victory today and the regional championship, but after today we will refocus our goals and get ready for the national tournament."

The South Region All-Tournament team was also announced after the championship with Barry leading the way placing five members on the All-Tournament squad. Valdosta was next with four, Tampa placed two on the team, while Delta State and Saint Leo each had one.

South Region All-Tournament Team



Catcher – Joy Long (Delta State)

Infield – Sabrina Price (Saint Leo)

Infield – Nayda Cortez (Valdosta State)

Infield – K.D. Smith (Barry)

Infield – Sarah White (Barry)

Outfield – Ryann Ellingsworth (Valdosta State)

Outfield – Hillary Hamilton (Barry)

Outfield – Jenny Miranda (Barry)

Designated Player – Tammi Momberg (Valdosta State)

Pitcher – Geralyn Elam (Barry)

Pitcher – Lyndsey Ellingsworth (Valdosta State)

At-Large – Kristen Law (Tampa)

At-Large – Mikki Stark (Tampa)

Tournament MVP – Geralyn Elam (Barry)



Barry 1, Valdosta State 0 (5/12/02 at Miami Shores, FL)

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Valdosta State...... 000 000 0 - 0 3 1 (45-21)

Barry............... 100 000 X - 1 4 0 (43-13)

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Pitchers: Valdosta State - L. Elingsworth. Barry - G. Elam.

Win-G. Elam (31-4) Loss-L. Elingsworth(19-5) T-1:26 A-103