Kristin Erb, named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, led Lock Haven (51-6) at the plate and in the circle as the Lady Eagles scored eight runs in their final two at bats to defeat Alabama-Huntsville (54-6) 8-0 to win the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championship at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, VA. The title is the second for the Lady Eagles as they also won the championship in 2006. Lock Haven defeated Emporia State by the score of 3-0, with the game also being played in Salem.

The National Championship Game started off with some history being made. Lock Haven’s Sarah Norris singled to lead off the game. The hit was her 12th of the series which set a new NCAA Division II Finals Series record. The record was previously held by Colleen Thorburn of Kennesaw State in the 1995 tournament.

The Lady Eagle offense broke the game open with 5 runs in the top of the sixth. Erica Eisenbise led off the inning with a single which forced a UAH pitching change. Alex Lewis replaced UAH starter Whitney Hawkins. Eisenbise advanced to second on a passed ball. Amanda Gutmaker reached on an error which scored Eisenbise. Brittany Muthard followed with a single to score Gutmaker. Sage Woodham replaced Lewis on the mound. After a walk, an error and a fielder’s choice, Erb singled in the sixth run of the game. Ilia Lopez followed with a two RBI double to make it 8-0 Lock Haven. The eighth run for the Lady Eagles tied a NCAA Division II Finals Series record for runs by a team in a series with 32. UC Davis also scored 32 runs in 2003.

Kristin Erb improved to 50-5 on the season. She pitched all 6 innings, giving up only 1 hit. Erb struck out 9 and did not walk a batter. The complete game was her 51st of the season and her 33rd shutout of the season and 100th of her career. Whitney Hawkins suffered the loss for Alabama Huntsville. She worked 5 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits.

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–Courtesy ODAC Online