Raleigh, N.C.— Behind the arm of pitcher Kim Cox, Ferrum College (23-12) defeated Christopher Newport, 5-2, and captured the USA South Athletic Conference crown.

CNU tallied single runs in the first two innings before Cox settled down and shut out the Captains the rest of the way. CNU held a 2-1 advantage after three innings. 

Crowned tournament MVP, Cox won her third game in as many days. The sophomore posted a 0.45 ERA in the tournament. Ferrum went undefeated in the three day championships. 

The Panthers scored one run to tie the contest in the fourth inning. Two innings later, FC took a 3-2 lead. 

In the top of the sixth, all-tournament selection Tricia Moore (2-3, double, run, 2 RBI) walked to lead of the inning. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and then made it to third on a ground out. Morore scored the winning run on two-out RBI single by by pinch-hitter Kristina Wilhelm.

After FC added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Despite CNU getting two runners on base, Cox closed the door on the Captains for the win.

The Panthers knocked 10 hits, including tour doubles, in the contest. All-tourney picks Jami Reed (2-4, double, run) and Krystal Ellis (2-4, run, double) had multiple hit games for Ferrum.

For CNU (23-18), Melanie Hose (2-4) and all-USAS Tourney pick Becky Bond (2-5, RBI) had good days at the plate. Janet Farichild--who pitched the last three in place of starter Michelle Prewitt--took the loss for the Captains.

The sixth-seeded Panthers return to the NCAA championships for the first time since the 2000 season.

Ferrum College 5, Christopher Newport 2 (Apr 17, 2005 at Raleigh, NC) (Game 1)
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Ferrum College......  100 101 2 -  5 10  2      (23-12)
Christopher Newport. 110 000 0 -  2  8  2      (23-18)
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Pitchers: Ferrum College - COX. Christopher Newport - PREWITT, M.; FAIRCHILD, J(5).
Win-COX(16-6)  Loss-FAIRCHILD, J(7-6)  T-1:43  A-108

2005 USA South Softball All-Tournament Team 
Kim Cox, Ferrum, Most Valuable Player 
Krystal Ellis, Ferrum, 1B 
Jamie Reed, Ferrum, 2b 
Katie Jimmo, AU, 3b 
C.J. McQueen, CNU, SS 
Wendy Heath, Methodist, catcher 
Susan Ishamn, CNU, DP 
Mary Greenway, Ferrum, OF 
Becky Bond, CNU, OF 
Tricia Moore, Ferrum, OF 
Tana Bartek, Shenandoah, pitcher 
Jennifer Sorensen, Methodist, pitcher