Bears Advance on Rakes' Outstanding Effort

LONGWOOD, FLA. -- Lenoir-Rhyne graduate student Lauren Rakes threw a nine-inning shut out and drove in the game's winning run in the top of the ninth to lead the eighth-seeded Bears past the No. 1 seed Auburn Montgomery 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in the opener of the NCAA Softball Championships.

A pitcher's duel saw both teams held off the scoreboard for eight full innings. LR started the top of the ninth with a Lani Warren double and a bunt single by Cassidy Wall. That brought up Rakes who lined a run-scoring single to center to make it 1-0. 

Rakes would do the rest and got AUM in order in the bottom of the 9th to finish out a complete game shuout where she allowed just four hits allowed. Rakes struck out five and walked two.

The Bears advance in the winner's bracket and will take on the winner of UIndy and Charleston (WV) on Monday at 11 a.m.