Chapman Wins Twice to Reach Softball Final

Twenty-one hours after losing to Wisconsin Stevens Point, Chapman defeated the Pointers, 6-3, to stay alive Sunday in the NCAA Division III softball tournament.

The two teams each have one loss and will play at 8 a.m. today to determine the national champion. Chapman is 39-8; Wisconsin Stevens Point is 42-15.

Chapman dropped to the losers’ bracket after the Pointers won, 10-0, Saturday night. Chapman beat Simpson (Iowa), 2-1, Sunday afternoon to get another shot at Wisconsin Stevens Point.

“It makes a difference when your sticks are here,” Chapman Coach Janet Lloyd said. “Every time we lose, especially by a big margin, we get fired up. I don’t have to say much to the team. We were embarrassed Saturday.”

Chapman, which scored a run in the first and two more in the second, broke open Sunday’s game with the Pointers in the fifth inning. Stephanie Carew and Lacee Rashi homered off losing pitcher Jamie Lowney (10-5), who was pulled after Rashi’s hit. Carew has 14 home runs his season.

Panther starter Catie Lacy improved to 16-1. Jessamine Maiben came on in relief in the fifth inning.

To reach the final, Chapman eliminated defending champion Simpson (Iowa), 2-1. The Panthers, who had seven hits, scored twice in the fourth inning to win.

“We knew we could come back [after Saturday night’s 10-0 loss],” Carew said. “We did it in the regionals.”