Decatur, Alabama- Casey Alexander's two run single in the third inning proved to be the game winner as William Carey defeats No. 5 California State San Marcos 2-1 Monday afternoon at the Wilson Morgan Sportsplex.

With the win WCU advances to the 2010 NAIA National Tournament Championship bracket. Carey posted a 3-0 record to capture Pool E and advances to the championship bracket for the first time in school history.

 

Cal State San Marcos opened the scoring as Ciera Ashman drew a leadoff walk and Lauren Nelson singled Ashman home to put the Lady Cougars up 1-0 after one. That would be the only run Carey pitching would allow. Starter Anna Ard allowed four hits and one run over five innings to improve to 13-4 on the season.  Reliever Melanie Bush worked two innings of no hit ball to earn her first save of the season.

The lone Carey runs came in the third inning as Kelsey Jo Smith drew a leadoff walked and Tan Montgomery reached base on a Lady Cougar error to put two on with no outs. Alexander stepped up and ripped a single to center to score Smith and Montgomery.

The biggest threat by the Lady Cougars came in the sixth inning. A leadoff single and walk put two on with no outs. Melanie Bush came on in relief of Anna Ard and got Erica Coelho to pop out for the first out.  An error by WCU loaded the bases but Bush got a fielder's choice force out at home and pop up to center to get out of the jam. Bush then worked a quick seventh to secure the win.

WCU will open bracket play tonight at 9:00 pm against the winner of Lubbock Christian and Bethel (IN). Bracket play is double elimination.

Live stats will be available at http://www.dakstats.com/websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10