GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Alex Springer (SO/Fort Wayne, Ind.) launched a two-run home run and Haley Nixon (SO/Bristol, Ind.) went the distance as No. 4-seed Indiana Wesleyan University defeated No. 2-seed Davenport (Mich.) 4-1 in a NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round elimination game in Grand Rapids, Michigan. IWU and No. 3-seed Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) play later tonight with the winner going to the Davenport Bracket title game.

Game Vitals

• Tournament:  NAIA National Championship Opening Round 
• Score :  Indiana Wesleyan - 4   |   Davenport - 1
• Records:  Indiana Wesleyan 43-17   |   Davenport 39-12
• NAIA Top- 25 Rank:  Indiana Wesleyan - Receiving votes   |   Davenport - No. 12
• Location:   Farmers Insurance Field   |   Davenport University   |   Grand Rapids, Michigan

What Went Down

• Kaisey Carson (JR/Avon, IN) hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning that hit the top of the fence on its way out. The 1-0 Indiana Wesleyan lead would stay until the 6th inning.
• In the 6th inning, Allison Bexell (SR/Avon, Ind.) laid down a bunt. The throw to lead was wild and Kelsey Meyers (SR/Brea, Calif.) came around to score from second base for a 2-0 Wildcat lead.
• The following inning saw Alex Springer mash a home run that cleared the scoreboard. The two run shot put Indiana Wesleyan ahead 4-0.
• Davenport plated their only run with two outs in the 7th inning. Haley Nixon induced a 5-3 groundout to end the game.
• Haley Nixon (18-9) pitched a complete game. She allowed a single run on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
• Kelsey Kooistra (SO/Grand Rapids, Mich.) ended the game with two of the six Wildcat hits.
  
   

Next Time Out

• Indiana Wesleyan plays the next game against Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) in an elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.