Alma, Mich. - The Alma College softball team suffered a 2-1 setback in a 10-inning battle to Benedictine University in the second game of the NCAA Alma Regional Tournament. After the defeat Alma has moved in to the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament and will face Wittenberg University at 1:30 p.m. on May 14. 

Alma holds a mark of 32-9 this season and a post season record of 3-2 after earning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship which earned them the automatic bid in to this NCAA Regional final. 

Senior Kayla Merice (Dorr, Mich./Wayland) went 2-for-5 today and tallied the lone RBI for the Scots to score sophomore Erin Lee (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Northern) in the bottom of the third frame. Lee had previously reached base earlier in the inning with a single to right center and advanced home on a throwing error by Benedictine's shortstop. 

In the top of the fifth the Eagles lead off batter singled followed by a base on balls to put runners on first and second. The Scots thought they were out of the jam after recording two outs but a single to right field from Benedictine's Fritsche scored the runner on second tying the game 1-1.

Neither team scored in the final regular two innings forcing the game in to extra's. Benedictine found their touch on a double to left field followed by an RBI single to give Benedictine their first lead of the game 2-1 in the bottom of the 10th frame.

Alma was unable to generate a hit in the bottom of the 10th while the first three Alma batters all popped up to a position player in the infield for a final score of 2-1.

Junior Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) was in the circle for the Scots bringing her overall record to 17-6. Stratton pitched all 10 innings of the game for her 19th complete game of the season. She fanned nine batters in the game, a high for today's pitchers of the NCAA Alma Regional Tournament. 

Alma Post-Game Press Conference