Salisbury Falls to Central 5-3 in Softball World Series Final
May 20, 2003

Box Score
Salem, VA - - Central College’s Kris Hughes capped a five-run rally with a grand slam in the bottom half of the fifth inning as Central defeated Salisbury 5-3 in the national championship game to capture the 2003 NCAA Division III Women’s Softball title.  

Salisbury, which entered the day with a 3-0 record in the double-elimination championship, had rebounded from a 1-0 loss in Tuesday's first game to build a 3-0 lead in the "if necessary" game. The Gulls scored twice in the third inning on Kristy Shaffer's fielder's choice, scoring Lisa Gentilella, and Erin Ruest's sacrifice fly, which plated Kate Garland.

SU added its third run in the top of the fourth when Megan Ellzy singled, moved to second on Kim Rementer's sacrifice, went to third on a passed ball and scored on Garland's single to left field.

Central (39-5-1) had managed just three hits off Salisbury starter Lacey Lister through four innings before rallying in the fifth. The Dutch scored five runs on four hits in the fifth, capped by Hughes' slam over the fence in left-center field. 

After the game, Hughes said, “It (hitting the grand slam) was awesome.  I can’t describe the feeling and I know of no other better way to finish off my senior season.  It was a great feeling to see coach when I passed third.  I was simply looking for a pitch to hit.  I had been popping it up all day so I shortened up my swing.  I just wanted to hit it in the dirt and it went out.”

Salisbury nearly rallied in its last at-bat, placing the tying run at second base with two outs in the seventh. Central's Libby Hysel then struck out Shaffer to end the game and dash SU's title hopes.

Senior shortstop Kate Garland led Salisbury with a 2-for-3 performance, with an RBI and a run scored.  Gentilella, Shaffer, Ellzy, and Katie Mullinix also recorded singles for the Sea Gulls, who finished their most successful season with a final 45-6-1 record.

SU Head Coach Margie Knight: "Certainly, things didn't work out the way we wanted it, but there were two great teams out there and Central took advantage of their opportunities. I'm so proud of the women on my team. We had a phenomenal season and broke so many records. We'll certainly hold our heads up high for all we accomplished."

Lister (27-3) took the loss, giving up five runs on seven hits and walking two in five innings.  Mullinix pitched the final inning for Salisbury, giving up one hit and striking out two.

The All Tournament Team:
Catcher - Kat Mason, Illinois Wesleyan
First Base – Anne Legg, Central
Second Base – Jamie Palmer, Illinois Wesleyan
Third Base – Lisa Gentilella, Salisbury
Shortstop – Kate Garland, Salisbury
Outfield – Tamara Boggs, Emory
Outfield – Kris Hughes, Central
Outfield – Katie Mullinix, Salisbury
Pitcher – Lacey Lister, Salisbury
Pitcher – Libby Hysell, Central
Designated Player – Stephanie Hieser, Illinois Wesleyan
At-Large – Colleen Schuster, Illinois Wesleyan
At-Large – Allison Bouknight, Emory
At-Large – Kathy Voss, Wartburg
At-Large – Katy Lein, Central