Huskies Move to Within One Win of NCAA Championship Round<

BLOOMSBURG--Freshman Tara Reed (Williamsport/Williamsport) hit a two-run homer and earned the win in relief as the Bloomsburg University softball team beat Shippensburg 2-1 on Saturday at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional championships. The win also moved the Huskies to within one win of advancing the NCAA championship round next week in Salem, VA.

The Huskies managed one hit in each of the first three innings, but each time left the runner stranded. Shippensburg, which had five hits in the opening three innings, finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kelly Nelson opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a bunt. Reed then came in to pitch in relief of Ashley Lynn (Riverside/Danville) for Bloomsburg. After Katie Healey reached on a error, pinch-runner Jill Kirby moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Chelsea Carson. Reed escaped further damage when she got Heather Chantiles to line out.

In the top of the fifth inning, Jill Homyak (Lehighton/Marian Catholic) reached on a error by the leftfielder, taking second on the play bring Reed to the plate. Reed, named All-PSAC first team at two positions, then blasted her eighth homer of the season to put the Huskies in front.

Reed remained in at pitcher until the bottom of the sixth when Lynn re-entered the game and Reed went back to shortstop. Lynn allowed one hit in the sixth, then saw the Lady Raiders put its first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh. However, the sophomore retired the next three batters, including Nelson with a strikeout to end the game.

Reed finished 2-4 with the homer and two RBI and earned her 15th win of the season.

Bloomsburg, now 38-15, will play at 1 p.m. in the first championship game against an opponent to be determined. If the Huskies lose, they would play again on Monday for the regional title.