WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- For seven innings, the Lady Scots traded punches with one of the best softball teams in the country.  In this year's opening round of the NCCAA Softball World Series, the now 49-1 Mustangs of Central Baptist College were limited to a single run, a feat accomplished by only 4 other teams this season.  However, the Lady Scots also fell into a category characteristic of 25 other Mustang opponents.  That is, they were shut out.

Central Baptist has only allowed 48 total runs this year; they've stomped a total of 27 teams by 8 runs or more; and they hold a margin of victory of 7.29 runs.  Sophomore righthander Jessica Bock has helped account for much of the Mustangs' defensive success, and her performance on the rubber- 7 IP, 5 hits, no runs- aided in sending Central Baptist to the second round.

Chelsea Krafft had a similar outing with 6 IP and 5 hits allowed, but Samantha Baker's one out triple in the bottom of the sixth facilitated a Mustang run, the lead, and eventually the victory.

A true pitchers' duel, both sides pitched out of several jams.  Twice in the early going, Central Baptist advanced runners to scoring position but was denied any runs.  Midway through the game, Covenant earned the bases loaded with only one out and the heart of the order due up.  But Bock came up with two clutch strikeouts to stifle that threat.

Christine Core and Kim Cuticchia both went 2-3 in the contest.

Covenant is now in the losers' bracket of the NCCAA Softball World Series and therefore only one more loss away from their season's end.  Their next game is slated for 12:00pm on Friday against Judson University (IL).  The 30-28 Lady Eagles are coming off a 6-0 loss to Indiana Wesleyan University in Thursday's 4:00 game.