Thursday, May 13, 2010

DeLAND, Fla. – Katie Zauner of No. 4 USC Upstate blasted an RBI single to left field to drive in Kim Brasil and bring the Spartans one step further in postseason play, as the squad defeated No. 1 Lipscomb, 3-2, Thursday evening.

Leading the offense for USC Upstate, Brasil, a junior from Mississauga, Ontario, connected on three of four hits and scored two of the three runs of the game, including the game-winner. She led off the seventh inning with a triple to right center field, setting the stage for Zauner's heroics. Junior hurler Morgan Childers paced the Spartans from inside the circle with six hits in seven innings. The Kings Mountain, N.C. native also allowed just two runs (earned) and one walk.

For Lipscomb, Whitney Kiihnl reached double figures in strikeouts for the 13th time this season and second on the day, as the sophomore recorded 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Kiihnl also limited USC Upstate to three runs (earned) and three walks, in addition to eight hits. Senior Kellie Sirus led the Lady Bisons at the plate, as the Sarasota, Fla. native posted one hit in three at bats, a home run (her second of the tournament) and two RBI.

USC Upstate will face No. 5 Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m. Friday, while Lipscomb has a contest with the loser of No. 2 Stetson/No. 3 Kennesaw State at 1 p.m. in second round action of the A-Sun Softball Championships at Patricia Wilson Field.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.