softball pitcher

Question
When is a relief pitcher credited with a save?  When this pitcher went in to relieve the first pitcher in the fifth inning there were 2 runners on base, one out, and the score was 6-3. The first batter the relief pitcher pitched to hit a triple scoring those two runs.  The final score was 7-5.

Answer
1.   A pitcher must meet all three of the following conditions to be credited with a save:

  a - She is the last pitcher in the win, and

  b - She is not the winning pitcher, and

  c - She meets one of the following:

     1)   She enters the game with a lead of no more than

               three runs and pitches for at least One inning, or

     2)   She pitches effectively for at least three innings, or

     3)   She enters the game with the potential tieing
               run either on base, at bat or on deck.

This relief pitcher gets the save.  BTW, those two runs that scored on the triple goe against the previous pitchers ERA.