Simpson University Advances to NAIA World Series

For Immediate Release

05.19.2016

REDDING, Calif. - After being forced into a game-two, winner-take-all championship at the 2016 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round, the Simpson University Red Hawks softball team defeated the Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls by a score of 7-1 on May 18 to advance to the 36th annual NAIA Softball World Series.

“We feel great,” said head coach Wayne Stower. “We are really looking forward to getting back to Iowa, and that’s been our goal since day one. The girls did a great job of getting us there.”

Simpson senior Carlye Avey from Riverbank, Calif., was the winning pitcher for the Red Hawks and improved to a perfect 21-0 on the season. A three-run first and a four-run sixth gave the Red Hawks a 7-0 lead going into the seventh. Oregon Tech scored its only run of the game in the top of the inning to make the final score 7-1.

“There was a lot of pressure, but to be honest, that’s what I love about softball,” Avey said during a press conference after the second game. “I love having that pressure on my back. I do better under pressure, so that’s right where I want to be.”

The Red Hawks, who hosted the Opening Round, started tournament play with a 10-0 win against Eastern Oregon University on May 16 and advanced to the winners bracket. Simpson defeated Oregon Tech 4-2 on May 17 for a chance to play in the championship game. After losing the first championship game 3-0, the Red Hawks rallied to finish the tournament with a 7-1 victory.

“This team is probably the best team I have ever played on,” said Avey. “We pick each other up, we have each other’s backs, and we’re a family.”

Simpson will travel to Sioux City, Iowa, and will compete against nine other National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) teams in the World Series on May 26-June 2. The Red Hawks earned the No. 5 seed in the tournament. For more information about the World Series, click here.

This is the second time Simpson has advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series by winning an opening round. In 2014, the Red Hawks defeated Concordia (Calif.) and participated in the 34th NAIA Softball World Series. The Red Hawks were the 2015 national champions of the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Follow Simpson softball online at simpsonredhawks.com and on Twitter at SimpsonSoftball.

NAIA Softball National Championship Photos

Photos by Matt Murnan and Ryan Belong

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Media Coverage:

05.24.2016 - Simpson Softball Gears Up for NAIA World Series
05.18.2016 - Simpson Beats Oregon Tech to Advance to NAIA Softball World Series
05.17.2016 - Simpson’s Softball Team Advances to NAIA Regional Championship
05.16.2016 - Simpson's Softball Team Hosts Opening Round of NAIA Tournament
05.16.2016 - No. 7 Simpson Rolls Over Eastern Oregon 10-0 in Opening Round of NAIA Tournament

Simpson Tournament Coverage:

05.18.2016 - Simpson Earns World Series Berth, Knocks Off Oregon Tech
05.18.2016 - Hustlin' Owls Force Decisive Game with Shutout Win
05.17.2016 - OIT Stays Alive with Shoutout of Dickinson State, Faces Simpson for Bracket Title
05.17.2016 - Dickinson State Holds off Eastern Oregon, Mountaineers Eliminated
05.17.2016 - Red Hawks Strike Early to Defeat OIT, Advance to Bracket Championship Game
05.16.2016 - OIT Blasts Dickinson in First Round, 12-3
05.16.2016 - Hallums Tosses One-Hitter, Red Hawk Offense Explodes for 10 Runs; Simpson Advances

Related links:

05.11.2016 - Simpson Softball National Tournament Bracket Announced
05.09.2016 - Simpson Softball Enjoys Another Season of ‘Firsts’
05.06.2016 - Red Bluff Resident Receives Coach of the Year Honors

Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Center in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.

Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737