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Brenau University softball players celebrate after winning the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament championship Saturday in Decatur, Alabama. The Golden Tigers defeated the University of Mobile 2-1 in nine innings. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
#2 Golden Tigers Softball Sweeps Four in SSAC Tournament for First Conference Championships
Apr 29, 2017
Brenau Staff
Brenau Defeats Mobile to Capture SSAC Softball Tournament Championship
By Jerry Felts
Brenau pitcher Eli Daniel, a freshman from Locust Grove, Ga., reacts after a strikeout during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. Brenau won 2-1 in nine inning. Brenau’s finished SSAC play, both regular season and the conference tournament 30-0. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
DECATUR, Ala. (April 29, 2017) – Brenau University freshman pitcher Kathleen Daniel was questionable to take the mound before the Southern States Athletic Conference softball tournament championship game Saturday afternoon in Decatur, Alabama.
Daniel, the league’s freshman, pitcher and player of the year, was “awfully sore,” according to veteran Golden Tigers head coach Devon Thomas as his No. 2 nationally ranked squad prepared to battle Mobile University for the SSAC crown.
Daniel, the tournament MVP, worked through her soreness in warmups and delivered her latest masterpiece in a record-breaking season, striking out 15 while scattering four hits as top seed Brenau (51-5) beat Mobile 2-1 in nine innings to capture its first SSAC tournament title. Daniel posted complete-game victories in all four of the Golden Tigers’ tournament games.
Junior Courtney Kenney delivered the game-winner, ripping a two-out pitch to right field that brought in Autumn Conaway from second base and set off a raucous celebration at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex as the Golden Tigers won their 30th consecutive game against SSAC opponents and their 51st of the 2017 season. No other SSAC team has ever won all of its conference games in regular-season and postseason play.
“I knew my job was to score the runner,” said Kenney, who drove in both Brenau runs. “Our pitcher and all of our players in the dugout had been working so hard all week. I could not leave it up to the umpire to strike me out and I did not want to take a walk.”
The Golden Tigers chased Mobile (38-17) starter Mackensie Williams early by scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Mackenzie Oliver Mullis, Brenau’s lone senior, led off with a single and advanced to third on a Rams error. Kenney then brought her home with a fielder’s choice for a 1-0 lead.
Mobile’s Holli Rowland tied it with a solo homer off Daniel to left in the second inning.
From that point on, however, Daniel was nearly untouchable, surrendering only two hits over the final 7 2/3 innings while allowing only three Rams to advance to second base.
Daniel’s 15-strikeout performance gives her 539 this season and puts her within one of tying the NAIA’s all-time single-season record of 540 set by Oklahoma City University’s Lily LaVelle in 2012. Daniel is the national leader in strikeouts, ERA (0.52), wins (42), opponents’ batting average (.128) and innings pitched (309 1/3).
“My arm was a little sore from yesterday and I was a little tight,” Daniel said. “It took me a minute to actually get through it and get the adrenalin going through me.”
“She started throwing and told me, ‘I’m good to go,’ and I trust my players’ judgment,” said Thomas. “If they feel good, I’ll let ’em go.”
Daniel was joined on the SSAC All-Tournament team by junior third baseman Mason Garland and junior catcher Savannah Moore.
Brenau infielder Autumn Conaway, a freshman from Guyton, Ga., left, and Brenau catcher Courtney Kenney, a junior from McDonough, Ga., center, celebrate after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. Brenau won 2-1 in nine inning. Brenau’s finished SSAC play, both regular season and the conference tournament 30-0. Conaway scored the winning run on Kenney’s hit. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Kenney, Mullis, Conaway, Moore, Kelsey Payne and Lexi Cash each had one hit in Saturday’s win.
Brenau will continues its quest for the national title in the NAIA Softball Championship opening round May 15-17 at a site to be announced later. Mobile also locked up a trip to regionals by advancing to the SSAC title game.
“This is the best-jelled team that I’ve had as far as everybody hitting the ball and never quitting,” said Thomas. “There’s some pressure on you when you have 30 straight wins.
“This is the first 50-win team I’ve had. Coming in here we had the No. 1 defense in the country, the No. 1 or 2 pitching staff in the country, a top 20 hitting team in the country. Any time you can do that, and put a pitcher like Eli out there, she’s going to give you a chance.”
After trailing 1-0 through the first five innings, Brenau got a clutch two-out, two-run single from Moore in the bottom of the sixth to propel the Golden Tigers into the title showdown against Mobile.
Daniel hurled a complete game to capture her third win of the tournament. She notched 11 strikeouts, while allowing only one earned run on four hits. Moore led the Golden Tigers’ offense with two hits and two RBIs, while Garland added the team’s only other hit.
Brenau players place their hands on their hearts for the National Anthem during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. Brenau won 2-1 in nine inning. Brenau’s finished SSAC play, both regular season and the conference tournament 30-0. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau pitcher Eli Daniel, a freshman from Locust Grove, Ga., and Brenau infielder/catcher Shelton Kendrix, a freshman from Jefferson, Ga., chat during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. Brenau won 2-1 in nine inning. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau catcher Savannah Moore, a junior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., on first base during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau infielder Mason Garland, a junior from Hoschton, Ga., fields a ball during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau catcher Savannah Moore, a junior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., catches a pitch during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau pitcher Eli Daniel, a freshman from Locust Grove, Ga., reacts after a strikeout in extra innings of the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau assistant coach Mike Ledford before the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau infielder Lexi Cash, a sophomore from Toccoa, Ga., throws to first for an out during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau outfielder Mackenzie Oliver Mullis, a senior from Carnesville, Ga., makes a catch in the outfield during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau assistant coach Gary Hatfield before the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. Brenau won 2-1 in nine inning. Brenau’s finished SSAC play, both regular season and the conference tournament 30-0. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau outfielder Mackenzie Oliver Mullis, a senior from Carnesville, Ga., reacts after scoring in the first inning of the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
From left to right, Brenau infielder Sarah Peery, a junior from Auburn, Ga., Brenau outfielder Lauren Sanders, a junior from Maysville, Ga., and Brenau left fielder Chelsea Dale, a sophomore from Lula, Ga., react as the winning run crosses the plate during the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau infielder Sarah Peery, a junior from Auburn, Ga., from left to right, Brenau catcher Courtney Kenney, a junior from McDonough, Ga., Brenau infielder Lexi Cash, a sophomore from Toccoa, Ga., and Brenau outfielder Lauren Sanders, a junior from Maysville, Ga., celebrate after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau catcher Savannah Moore, a junior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., and Brenau infielder Autumn Conaway, a freshman from Guyton, Ga., celebrate after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau head coach Devon Thomas speaks to the team after winning the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
The scoreboard displays the final score after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau players pile on on the ground celebrating after winning the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau players dunk Brenau head coach Devon Thomas with water after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau head coach Devon Thomas reacts as he is dunked with water after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau head coach Devon Thomas reacts after being dunked with water after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau head coach Devon Thomas reacts after being dunked with water after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau pitcher Eli Daniel, a freshman from Locust Grove, Ga., from left to right, Brenau infielder Mason Garland, a junior from Hoschton, Ga., and Brenau catcher Savannah Moore, a junior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., are honored along with Mobile’s Emily Fleetwood and Sydney O’Connor along with other SSAC players in the team of the tournament. Daniel was named the MVP for the tournament. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau catcher Savannah Moore, a junior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., signs a bracket after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau players and coaches pose with the SSAC banner after winning the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau infielder Sarah Peery, a junior from Auburn, Ga., and Brenau catcher Courtney Kenney, a junior from McDonough, Ga., pose with their SSAC champion shirts after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau outfielder Mackenzie Oliver Mullis, a senior from Carnesville, Ga., center, reacts as her daughter Palmer runs into a team photo after the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)
Brenau players and coaches pose for a photo after winning the championship game of the SSAC conference tournament against Mobile. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)