COLLEGE WORLD SERIES - DAY 1 RESULTS

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FROM SPYSOFTBALL

WORLD SERIES THURSDAY



WASHINGTON 3, DEPAUL 1 Lawrie no hitter

The Huskies (40-17) and the Blue Demons (46-11) inaugurated the 2007 NCAA Women’s College World Series, having defeated two of the nation’s Top Ten – Alabama and Oklahoma – each of whom had been ranked #1 in the weekly polls and each having led the nation in run production, most notably the Sooners who managed just 2 runs off DePaul in 14 innings. The teams started their aces: the Huskies Danielle Lawrie (29-11) the Blue Demons Tracie Adix(21-2).



DePaul took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd – Linda Secka walked but was forced at 2nd by Stephanie Blagaich, who stole 2nd. Shea Warren’s grounder was misplayed, and Blagaich scored on the throwing error by Lawrie. UW scored two in the bottom, Ashley Charters led off with a double to center. After two groundouts, Dena Tyson jacked a 2-run HR into the left field bleachers. In the 4th, Ashlyn Watson hit her second home run of the season, UW 3-1. Becca Heteniak pitched the last 2.2 innings for DePaul.



The game marked the first no-hitter since Keira Goerl’s masterpiece in UCLA’s 2003 championship game, and is the 16th no hitter in World Series history.. The game also marked the first time in WCWS history that a team has scored a run without getting a hit. It is the third time a no-hitter has been thrown in Game One, the last Lisa Fernandez in 1993.



The game was a kind of homecoming for Husky coach Heather Tarr who played for Washington in the 1996 and 1997 World Series.



NORTHWESTERN 2, ARIZONA STATE 0

For five innings, the record crowd at Hall of Fame Stadium (5295) saw possible back to back no-hitters as Wildcat Eileen Canney (11 Ks) set down the Sun Devils. But, in the 6th, Michelle Smith dropped a bunt single about a yard in front of the plate and beat the throw from 3rd Darcy Sengewald. Katilin Cochran walked with one out, the only time ASU had two runners on base. The rally failed, and in the 7th, Canney struck out the first two batters – Bianca Cruz and pinch hitter Marissa Trevino, and Kristen Miller grounded to short.



Katie Burkhart also pitched a strong game, 8 strikeouts against 5 hits. The 3rd inning was crucial. Kelly Dyer singled to left and was sacrificed to 2nd by Sengewald. Katie Logan drove in Dyer with a single to right. The Wildcats added a run in the bottom of the 6th on Tammy Williams’ home run.



TENNESSEE 2, TEXAS A&M 0 Abbott No Hitter

Amanda Scarborough set the Vols down in order to start the game. Monica Abbott, just named Player of the Year by USA Softball, after setting a new NCAA strikeout record, walked the first batter, Sharonda McDonald, on four pitches. Jamie Hinshaw worked a 3-2 count and also walked. Megan Gibson was also at 3-2 and struck out. Eleven of Abbott’s first 16 pitches were out of the strike zone, and then she went 3-0 to Scarborough, and walked her high and inside to load the bases. Jami Lobpries hit back to Abbott (2-1) for the force at home. Alex Reynolds went down swinging, to the relief of the large, pom-pom waving Tennessee crowd. Abbott had worked out of the jam she created.



The 2nd opened with Tonya Callahan flying out to left. Shannon Doepking registered the first hit of the game, a single to center. Erin Webb fanned but Anita Manuma stroked a single on a

3-2 count. Liane Horiuchi struck out ending the threat. In the bottom, Macie Morrow worked yet another 3-2 count before striking out. Joy Davis and Lisa Gorzycki followed suit, the 112th time that Abbott has struck out the side. The Vols loaded the bases in the 3rd but Scarborough induced a groundout from Doepking for the third out. Again, the Aggies went down in order in the bottom of the 3rd, two on strikes. Abbott had 7 in 3 innings, the slow start seemed behind her. Scarborough struck out the side in the 4th, and now has 8 in 3.5 innings.



Scarborough walked to lead the Aggie 4th but was stranded, two of three outs on strikes. Lindsay Schutzler singled with one out in the Vols 5th but was left on base, two batters retired on strikes. Abbott struck out the side in the Aggies 5th; after five, the Aggies did not have a hit, the Vols had 4.



Erin Webb punched the Vols’ fifth hit into right field, with two out, and stole 2nd. Manuma beat out a dribbler to 3rd, the 6th hit. Pinch hitter Alexia Clay ground out. TAMU went down in order, the third out Scarborough looking at a third strike, Abbott’s 663rd of the year, which ties the NCAA single season record set by Courtney Blades.



Kenora Posey beat out a slow bunt to 3rd to start the 7th, and stole 2nd. Schutzler grounded out to 2nd. India Chiles dropped a Texas League single over 3rd, bringing Posey home with the run. Tiffany Huff singled to left, the 9th Vol hit. Tonya Callahan beat out a single back to Scarborough which the pitcher couldn’t handle. Bases loaded. The Aggies were dying the death of a thousand cuts, as Shannon Doepking singled to center, rbi, 2-0. So many times this season, the Vols have come through in late innings, with bleeder hits which advance their speedy runners. Webb hit a line drive to Hinshaw at 3rd for the second out. Manuma struck out, Scarborough’s 11th K versus her 11 hits.



Lobpries popped. Reynolds looked at a third strike, #664, another Abbott record! Macie Morrow struck out, Abbott’s 15th of the game – and a no-hitter



ARIZONA 1, BAYLOR 0 (9)

The defending national champions vs the regular season champions from the Big 12, both with explosive offenses, the winner to meet Tennessee. Want a definition of speed? In the 3rd inning of this scoreless game, Caitlin Lowe doubled with 2 out, fell rounding 1st, got up and still beat the throw to 2nd. The Wildcats broke the 0-0 tie in the 4th. Kristie Fox led with a double. Jenae Leles hit a deep single to left center and Fox was wheeling but a good throw had her scampering back to 3rd. Callista Balko ground out, but Fox scored on Laine Roth's groundout. In the top of the 5th, Ashley Monceaux drew a time walk; Kirsten Shortridge beat out a bunt hit back to the pitcher, Taryne Mowatt. Brette Reagan hit into a force at 3rd. Baylor pulled a double steal, moving the tying run to 3rd. Shortridge scored on a passed ball, which everyone on the Wildcat side of the stadium thought was a foul tip. Chelsi Lake walked. Courtney Oberg lofted a ball toward center which Fox made a good play to catch. 1-1. Fox walked with one out in the Wildcat 6th. Leles sacrificed Fox to 2nd. Balko flied out. On to the 7th, tied 1-1. Miriam Romeo lined out to Fox. Ashley Monceaux lined out to Mowatt. Shortridge struck out. Lisa Ferguson struck out the side in the Arizona 7th. Baylor went down in order in the 8th, two on strikes (Mowatt 10). Adrienne Acton popped to short. Lowe grounded to Monceaux at 1st, playing up, the 2nd baseman didn't cover for the throw, and Monceaux lost the footrace to the bag. For naught, Lowe was called out leaving early. Chelsie Mesa flied out to left. In the 9th, Mowatt struck out the side, setting the stage for Fox's dramatic walkoff home run to end the game. Now, Arizona will face Tennessee.

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courtesy of Spysoftball

SATURDAY WORLD SERIES



DePaul 3, Arizona State 1

The teams started their aces – Tracie Adix and Katie Burkhart – for this elimination game. Each team had three hits through the first four innings – and the Blue Demons stranded two in the 2nd. In the top of the 5th, Jessica Evans was hit by a pitch. Shea Warren popped to 3rd but leadoff Sandy Vojik, in a hit reminiscent of her blast against Oklahoma in Super Regionals, parked a 2-run shot in the left field bleachers. Six outs from elimination, the Sun Devils led the 6th with their most dangerous hitter, Kaitlin Cochran, who popped to short. Mindy Cowles worked a 3-2 count and walked, but was forced at 2nd by Jackie Vasquez. Bianca Cruz grounded out to short. The ”mighty mite” Linda Secka opened the Blue Demon 7th – she and Evans struck out. Warren was safe on a bunt single and once again Vojik delivered – a single deep in the hole that scored Warren who had stolen 2nd and 3rd – the latter on some gutsy running. Pinch hitter Kara Amundson made the third out.



Down 3-0, with three hits and three outs from elimination, the Sun Devils began the 7th with Michelle Smith who doubled over the left fielder. Pinch hitter Carylyn Carlson was out on an attempted bunt. Pinch hitter Kaycee Gamez grounded out to 2nd. Rhiannon Baca hit a hard single to right, scoring Smith. Marissa Trevino grounded into a force play at 2nd, ending the game – and eliminating the Sun Devils.

POSTGAME NOTES

Game 7: DePaul 3, Arizona State 1



· DePaul improved to 47-12 on the year (3-7 all-time in the WCWS) while ASU dropped to 54-17 (5-12 in the WCWS).



· The win marked the first for DePaul in the WCWS since 1999 when they defeated Arizona 1-0. The Blue Demons had lost four straight WCWS contests.



· The victory was the first for the Blue Demons over ASU. DePaul entered the contest with a 0-4 record against the Sun Devils.



· DePaul moved to 39-3 in games when it scores first and 21-3 when hitting at least one home run.



· With her fifth-inning homer, Sandy Vojik moved into a tie four fourth all-time on the DePaul single-season home run list. It was the sophomore’s third long ball of the postseason. Vojik entered the WCWS with a .875 slugging percentage in 2007 postseason play.



· Vojik’s three RBIs were the most of any player in this year’s WCWS. It was Vojik’s 14th multi-hit game of the year which tied a season high for the Blue Demons.



· Striking out Sandy Vojik to start the game, ASU’s Katie Burkhart became the all-time Pac-10 single-season strikeout leader at 517. Just a junior, the San Luis Obispo, Calif., native moved into fourth place on the Pac-10 career strikeouts list at 1157.



· With her nine punchouts today, Burkhart moved into the eighth spot on the NCAA’s single-season strikeouts list. Burkhart entered the game tied for ninth with Arizona’s Alicia Hollowell who struck out 508 in 2004.



BAYLOR 7, TEXAS A&M 4

Pitchers Lisa Ferguson vs Amanda Scarborough

Megan Gibson brought the Texas to their feet with a 2-out home run in the 1st. The Bears rained on the parade. In the bottom, Ashley Monceaux, one of the most consistent and dangerous hitters in this tournament, led off with a single to right, but was forced by Kirsten Shortridge at 2nd. Brette Reagan singled; Chelsi Lake slugged a 2-run double. The Baylor lead blossomed in the 3rd. Monceaux led off with a double to left. Shortridge lined out to short. Reagan reached on an error by Scarborough, Monceaux scored. Lake walked. Courtney Oberg blasted a 3-run home run. Tiffany Wesley was hit by a pitch but called out for leaving 1st early. Alex Colyer tripled but was stranded, and Gibson relieved Scarborough, 6-1 Baylor. TAMU got back into the game in the top of the 5th. With one out, Macie Morrow, Joy Davis and pinch hitter Holly Ridley hit consecutive singles, loading the bases. Sharonda McDonald flied out before Jamie Hinshaw cracked a 2-run single. Gibson hit into a fielder’s choice. Scarborough led the 6th with an infield hit but was forced by Jami Lobpries. Alex Reynolds reached on an error at 3rd and Morrow brought in a run with a sac fly. Baylor countered in the bottom with an rbi by Monceaux. Texas A&M went down in order. Baylor faces Northwestern in a second elimination game.



Game 8: Baylor 7, Texas A&M 4



· Baylor improved to 51-15 on the season (1-1 all-time in WCWS play) while Texas A&M fell to 46-14 (7-10 in WCWS play).



· The victory was Baylor’s first in the Women’s College World Series.



· Baylor improved to 3-0 this year against Texas A&M. The last time the Bears swept the season series with the Aggies was 2000 (2-0).



· With the three-game season sweep, the Bears cut into the all-time series record that now stands at 39-17-1 in favor of Texas A&M.



· Both previous meetings this year between the two squads were extra-innings affairs. Baylor won 3-1 in eight innings in College Station on April 4 and 5-4 in 10 innings at home on May 5.



· The two teams combined for three first-inning runs today. Prior to the game, no team in this year’s WCWS had scored in the opening frame.



· The 16 combined hits marked a 2007 WCWS high. The previous high was 11 (twice).



· Baylor freshman designated player Courtney Oberg hit her seventh home run of the year with a three-run shot in the bottom of the third to give the Bears a 6-1 lead. The blast was part of a four-run inning.



· Baylor’s Alex Colyer blasted the first triple of her career with the hit to right field in the third inning.



· The Bears’ seven runs were the second-most all-time against the Aggies in the series. Baylor scored 11 in a seven-run victory over Texas A&M on May 12, 2005.



· A&M junior pitcher Amanda Scarborough tied a season high in giving up five earned runs. She also surrendered five earned runs to both Texas Tech (April 29) and Arizona (Feb. 23) earlier in the year.



· Baylor’s seven runs were the second most runs allowed by A&M on the year.



· A&M’s Megan Gibson recorded her 14th home run of the season to increase her school career home run record to 42.



· The last Texas A&M win in WCWS play came in 1988. It has now lost three consecutive games in the event.



ARIZONA 3, DePAUL 0

Pitchers Tracie Adix vs Taryne Mowatt 2-hitter

Through four innings, the Wildcats poked and prodded, while Mowatt held the Blue Demons hitless. In the top of the 5th, with one out, Sam Bannister walked; Jill Malina to run. K’Lee Arredondo singled. Adrienne Acton laid down a bunt the length of a yardstick, and Arizona had the bases loaded, with the ever-dangerous Caitlin Lowe on deck. The threat wound down a notch when Malina was picked off 3rd on a snap throw from catcher Jackie Tarulla-Fisher. Lowe lofted a double past the left fielder, 2 rbi. Chelsi Mesa singled, Lowe advanced to 3rd and moved toward home – and was caught in a 4-6-2-5-1 rundown, colliding with Adix at home. UofA 2-0. Arizona now had 7 hits, DePaul none. In the bottom, Kate Sheaks walked, but Marcy Wilus and Becca Heteniak struck out, and Linda Secka hit back to Mowatt. DePaul switched pitchers, putting Becca Heteniak on the mound. Kristie Fox, who singled in the 4th, opened the 6th with a single, and was sacrificed to 2nd by Jenae Leles. Callista Balko lined out to left. Laine Roth walked. Bannister looked at a third strike.



Now, reversing the morning situation, DePaul was six outs from elimination – and was hitless. Jessica Evans worked a 3-2 count then flied out to Arredondo in left. Shea Warren struck out. Sandy Vojik, the most dependable Demon, racked the first hit, a single to left. Cara Santori lobbed a high fly to Fox at short. On to the 7th.



Stephanie Blagaich took the DePaul mound. Arredondo singled to center. Acton sacrificed. Lowe hit back to the pitcher. Mesa singled to right, rbi, 3-0. Fox hit back to Blagaich. The sun was setting over the stadium – and the hopes of this year’s Cinderella team were fading with it. Tarulli-Fisher grounded out to 3rd. Sheaks gave hope with a single to center, the second hit for the Blue Demons. Wilus looked at a third strike. Heteniak ground into a 6-4 force. Arizona will play Washington on Sunday.



A record-breaking WCWS crowd of 8,222 was on hand for Saturday night's session, breaking the previous single-session record of 8,049 set in the 2000 championship session between Oklahoma and UCLA.


POSTGAME NOTES


· Arizona catcher Callista Balko gunned down two DePaul base stealers on the night in three attempts. Through three WCWS games this year, Balko has allowed only two stolen bases on five attempts. In her WCWS career, the Tucson, Ariz., native has caught 5-of-8 players attempting to steal.



· Arizona senior shortstop Kristie Fox has recorded a hit in 13 of her last 14 games. With a 2-for-4 effort this evening, Fox recorded her first multi-hit game since hitting safely twice on May 4 against Oregon.



· Wildcat freshman K’Lee Arredondo matched her career high with her two hits tonight.



· With the win, the Wildcats improved to 46-13-1 on the season (53-24 all-time in WCWS play) while DePaul was eliminated with a final season record of 47-13 (3-8 all-time in the WCWS).



· Arizona improved its all-time series record against DePaul to 9-3. The two teams are now knotted up in games played in the WCWS at one win apiece.



· The Wildcats improved to 53-3 when scoring at least one run in the WCWS.



· DePaul catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher recorded her first pick-off of the 2007 season when she gunned down Jill Malina at third base with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.



· Wildcat hurler Taryne Mowatt recorded her 16th shutout of the year in improving to 38-11.



· Mowatt gave up just two hits in the complete game effort. She has pitched all 22 innings for Arizona in this year’s WCWS and has surrendered only six hits.



· DePaul senior Tracie Adix concluded her collegiate career giving up three runs on 10 hits, finishing the year with a 22-4 record.



· Blue Demon pitcher Stephanie Blagaich pitched the final inning of the loss, marking the first pitching performance for the sophomore since Feb. 9 against Nebraska. She faced five Arizona batters and gave up one run on two hits.



· A record-breaking WCWS crowd of 8,222 was on hand for the session, breaking the previous single-session record of 8,049 set in the 2000 championship session between Oklahoma and UCLA.



NORTHWESTERN 7, BAYLOR 0

Pitchers Eileen Canney vs Kirsten Shortridge

The Wildcats scored two in the top of the 1st. Katie Logan led with a single to left; Tammy Williams was hit by a pitch; Garland Cooper walked to load the bases. Nicole Pauly hit into a fielder’s choice, Logan out at home. Erin Dyer plated 2 runs with a single to left. NU left three on base. Ever consistent, Monceaux led the Baylor half with a single to center, but was caught stealing. Shortridge walked but Brette Reagan and Chelsi Lake failed to advance the runner. Back to the purple: Darcy Sengewald (3-2) walked. Logan reached on an error at 2nd, and Baylor put ace Lisa Ferguson on the mound. Williams slammed a 3-run home run, Northwestern up 5-0. Garland Cooper jacked a shot which center fielder Miriam Romero tipped with her glove but it was going anyhow for a solo HR; valiant effort. 6-0. Bottom 2nd: Courtney Oberg looked at a third strike. Tiffany Wesley walked and sister Nicole singled to center. The runners advanced on a passed ball. Alex Colyer and Miriam Romero struck out. Sengewald slashed a one-out double into the left field corner, but Logan and Williams went down.



In the bottom of the 3rd, Baylor had the top of its order up, starting with Monceaux, who looked at a third strike. Coach Glenn Moore was ejected. Shortridge flied out to left. Reagan lined back to Canney. Lake went down. In the 4th, Cooper grounded out to 2nd. Pauly parked a pitch into the left field bleachers, 7-0. Erin Dyer and Rigas popped to short. Chelsi Lake gave the Bears something to cheer, a single into the right field corner; she took 2nd on the throwing error by Miller, the right fielder. Oberg and Tiffany Wesley struck out. Kelsey Sage popped to short.



Northwestern went into the 5th, leading 7-0, needing one run to reach run-rule territory. With two out, Sengewald reached on an error at short. Leadoff hitter Logan popped up. In the bottom, Monceaux walked with two out; Shortridge singled to short, but Reagan struck out. The NU 6th was uneventful except for a walk to Cooper. In the bottom, Lake struck out; Oberg grounded back to the mound, but Tiffany Wesley singled to 3rd. Then stole 2nd. But, Sage struck out. Baylor had 5 hits, no runs. Canney had 8 Ks.



The 7th; Rigas walked. Shortridge relieved Ferguson again. Sage running for Rigas. Miller lined into a double play. Kelly Dyer hit back to the mound. Baylor would have its last at bat in this Series unless it generated at least 7 runs this inning. Jordan Daniels, leading off, struck out. Brittany Turner hit back to 1st for the put out. Monceaux ground out to 3rd. Northwestern faces Tennessee on Saturday.

[Homer Hawks Site Administrator]

W0RLD SERIES SUNDAY

ARIZONA 2, WASHINGTON 0

Pitchers Taryne Mowatt vs Danielle Lawrie

Arizona has to win two to advance

The teams standed runners (2 by UW, 3 by UofA, all on walks) through the first two innings. Ashley Charters nailed the first hit of the game in the top of the 3rd, a 1-out single to left. With Marnie Koziol at bat, Charters broke for 2nd; the umpire initially signaled out, on the throw from catcher Callista Balko to shortstop Kristie Fox, but seemed to change his mind, which brought out both coaches. The reinforced decision was out (although numerous replays seemed to indicate Charters got her foot on the bag before Fox applied the tag – and a gratuitous shove*). Koziol singled to 3rd; Dominique Lastrapes flied out to right. In the Arizona 3rd, Lowe popped to Lawrie; Chelsi Mesa struck out; Fox walked; Jenae Leles beat out a dribbler to 3rd; Balko became the 5th strikeout for Lawrie.

Lauren Greer, who struck out with two on in the 1st, walked with one out in the 4th. Ashlyn Watson fanned. Alicia Matthews singled to center, Greer scampered to 3rd, barely beating the throw from Caitlin Lowe. With runners at the corners, Lawrie, a good-hitting pitcher, popped up to Mowatt. The Huskies had stranded five in four at-bats. The Wildcats went down in order, two on strikes.

In the top 5th, Charters drew her second walk, with one out, and this time the throw from Balko sailed, and Charters went to 3rd. Koziol fouled out to 3rd; Lastrapes walked to put runners at the corners; Dena Tyson worked a 3-2 count and struck out. The Huskies had now stranded 7 runners. Adrienne Action popped to 3rd; Lowe bunted but was called out (out of the box?); Mesa flied out to left.

Greer struck out to open the 6th (Mowatt’s 5th). Watson singled to right, UW’s fourth hit. Alicia Matthews had a 3-2 count, popped up to short. Lawrie also went to 3-2, fanned. Fox, who is 6-9 in the Series, struck out to open the Arizona 6th. Leles singled. Balko popped to the catcher. With two out, Jill Malina came in to run for Leles. Laine Roth walked on a 3-2 count. Sam Bannister, who had the game-winning hit against Washington on May 12, slugged a 2-run double on a 1-2 count. UofA 2-0. Arredondo struck out – Lawrie’s ninth but she trailed 2-0.

The pressure was now on the Huskies, who were a strike away from ending the 6th, and now 2 runs and 3 outs away from a what-if game. Moojen, who struck out twice, did so again. Charters lined out to a speeding Lowe. Koziol lined out to 3rd. As Candrea said at a press conference, he has a team of disciplined hitters top to bottom in his lineup.

The If game will be at 6pm.

*At a post game press conference, Fox said she apologized to Charters. "It was a bang-bang play. She came in hard and got caught up a bit. It probably didn't show everything that happened on TV. There was a lot more going on. I apologized and I wasn't going out there to hurt her. It was a bang-bang play because I went in hard and she went in hard."

POSTGAME NOTES


Game 11: Arizona 2, Washington 0



The Wildcats have now won 10 of its last 11 matchups with Pac 10 rival Washington. Arizona’s lone defeat in the series since 2004 came this season in a 5-1 game in Tucson, Ariz., on May 11.
Arizona improved its all-time record against the Huskies to 49-19.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 47-13-1 on the season while Washington dropped to 42-18.
Sam Bannister’s two-out, two-run double to center field marked the second time this season that one of her hits proved to be the game-winner against Washington. The sophomore first baseman blasted an eighth-inning walk-off home run on May 12 to upend the Huskies 5-4.
Wildcat hurler Taryne Mowatt recorded her 17th shutout of the year in improving to 39-11.
Mowatt gave up just four hits in the complete game effort. She has pitched all 29 innings for Arizona in this year’s WCWS and has surrendered only 10 hits.
Mowatt’s five walks were her most since giving up 10 in a 12-inning contest against Stanford on April 29.
Washington scored 12 combined runs in its first two WCWS games this year prior to today’s shutout. It tallied three runs against DePaul in the opening game and nine against Northwestern on Friday night.
Prior to today’s game, Washington hurler Danielle Lawry had only allowed one run in two games at the WCWS.
The Wildcats improved to 54-3 when scoring at least one run in the WCWS.
U of A senior shortstop Kristie Fox failed to record a hit for only the second time in her last 15 games. Prior to today, Fox had a hit in all three of Arizona’s 2007 WCWS games.
Arizona catcher Callista Balko gunned down one Washington base stealer in two attempts. Through four WCWS games this year, Balko has allowed only three stolen bases on seven attempts. In her WCWS career, the Tucson, Ariz., native has caught 6-of-10 players attempting to steal.
TENNESSEE 3, NORTHWESTERN 0

Northwestern must win two games

Pitchers Monica Abbott vs Eileen Canney

(Editor note: Northwestern and Tennessee last played on June 2, 2006, at the WCWS. Eileen Canney threw a one-hitter, allowing only a third-inning double, and Northwestern scored runs in the 5th on a Kristen Amegin single and in the 6th on a Darcy Sengewald solo home run to beat the Vols 2-0)

There was a possible harbinger of things to come in the top of the 1st. Katie Logan fanned. Tammy Williams reached on a bunt single and went to second on a wild pitch. But, Garland Cooper and Nicole Pauly struck out. In the bottom, India Chiles singled, and, predictably (she has 42 stolen bases) stole 2nd; Lillian Hammond walked. Lindsay Schutzler dribbled a bunt down the line; NU players watched as the ball hugged the line and stayed fair. Bases loaded. Tonya Callahan hit into a fielder’s choice; the throw to home by shortstop Tammy Williams was in time to get Chiles – and the umpire signaled out – but there was no force because Williams had tagged the runner going from 2nd to 3rd for the first out. After discussion,the run was scored. Schutzler and Callahan advanced on a wild pitch. Tiffany Huff popped up to short. Shannon Doepking reached on an error at 1st, Schutzler scored. Jennifer Griffin struck out, Vols 2-0.

The Wildcat 2nd passed in a heartbeat – Abbott struck out the side. This time, the Vols went in order, two on strikeouts. The 3rd for Northwestern was also quick, three outs, two on strikes (Abbott 8). The Vols 3rd was also quick, the Wildcat defense seemingly having put the 1st inning problems behind them.

Abbott struck out the side in the 4th (11 K). Canney put down the Vols, two on strikes. The Wildcats went down in the 5th, Erin Dyer fanned but Jessica Rigas hit a fly to center and Jessica Miller ground out to 3rd. The Vols were just as quick to retire. As this pace, (85 minutes) this game was going to end faster than a Tijuana marriage.

In the 6th, Kelly Dyer and Darcy Sengewald fanned; Abbott had struck out every Wildcat at least once. Logan singled; the teams now had 2 hits apiece but the Vols had the runs. Williams struck out (#15). (The single game record is 20 by Debbie Doom, UCLA, 1982*). Tennessee added a run in the bottom. With two out, Tonya Callahan reached on an error by Canney, Caitlin Ryan in to run. Tiffany Huff doubled to plate Ryan, 3-0. Nicole Kajitani was sent in to run. But, Shannon Doepking went down to end the inning.

Abbott, who struck out 16 in each of her two previous games, went to 17 by fanning Cooper. Pauly popped up. Erin Dyer fanned to end the game. There would be no return to the Championship for Northwestern – and Tennessee had its first ticket to the final round. The game lasted 1:45.

Debbie Doom struck out 20 in a 13 inning game in 1982. Cat Osterman and Brittni Sneed both notched 19 in extra inning games. Osterman struck out 18 in a 7-inning game against Arizona State in 2006 and 17 twice.So, Abbott is tied with Osterman for second most in a seven-inning game. See below.

POSTGAME NOTES
Monica Abbott’s 17 strikeouts tied Texas’ Cat Osterman (2005) for the second-most all-time in a seven-inning WCWS game. Osterman holds the record with 18 in a 2006 game against Arizona State.
Abbott scattered two hits and walked none in her third straight shutout, improving to 49-3 on the year. The first seven outs recorded by the Lady Vols were Abbott strikeouts.

Abbott has not allowed a run in 26.2 innings – a streak dating back to May 26. It is the second longest of her career. The senior pitcher recorded a scoreless streak of 40.2 innings from May 20 – June 3, 2005.
Abbott has recorded at least two strikeouts in 19 of 21 innings in this year’s WCWS while surrendering only eight hits. She is averaging 16.33 strikeouts in this year’s event, fanning 16 in Tennessee’s previous two games and 17 today. She struck out the side three times this afternoon.
Tennessee improved to 52-1 on the year when scoring first and to 22-1 at neutral sites.
With today’s victory, UT improved in its series against Northwestern to 4-3. The programs split a pair of games during the 2006 season with Northwestern winning 2-0 in the second round of last year’s WCWS.
Through three games of the Women’s College World Series, Tennessee’s India Chiles boasts a 2007 WCWS batting average of .500 (5-for-10) despite recovering from a left shoulder injury and currently playing with a torn ACL in her right knee.
Tennessee improved to 62-6 on the year while Northwestern finished its season with a record of 52-13.
The Lady Vols’ one assist tied for the second fewest in WCWS history.
Northwestern senior pitcher Eileen Canney fell short in her attempt to become the Wildcats’ sole leader in single-season and career wins. She ended with 33 wins on the year and 97 in her career, tied with three-time All-American Lisa Ishikawa (1984-87).


ARIZONA 8, WASHINGTON 1

Pitchers Taryne Mowatt vs Danielle Lawrie. Winner to the WCWS finals.

The defending national champions, one win away from competing for their 8th title, like nothing better than utilizing their speed for a quick scoring strike – and they did that to Washington in the top of the 1st inning.

Caitlin Lowe led with a single to center. Chelsi Mesa laid down a bunt hit to 3rd. Kristie Fox flied out, but Jenae Leles cracked a 2-run double. Lawrie struck out Laine Roth and Sam Bannister, the hitting hero of the first game. Three hits and two runs before the opponent has picked up a bat. As it were, the Huskies went down in order. Adrienne Acton beat out a bunt hit in the 2nd, no damage. Again, UW went down in order.

In the 3rd, Fox, who was hitting .455 in the Series, hit a one-out single to right. Leles walked. Roth fanned but Bannister stroked an rbi single to right; Lauren Greer dove and got a glove on the ball but couldn’t hold it and Fox scored, 3-0. Balko looked at a third strike, Lawrie’s fifth. After three, Arizona had 3 runs on 6 hits; UW was hitless.

Arizona went down in order in the 4th (after a ruling that Arredondo was out of the box when she hit – a rule enforced on others in this Series). The Huskies finally got a hit in the 5th when Dominique Lastrapes lofted a two-out single to center Lowe couldn’t quite reach. Dena Tyson followed with a single. Lauren Greer singled to left, and Lastrapes narrowly beat a good throw from Arredondo, wiping out Balko behind the plate, 3-1. The three hits prompted a conference on the mound with UofA pitching coach Nancy Evans. With two on, Ashlyn Watson flew out to left.

Mesa led the Arizona 5th with a single up the middle. Fox singled, same place. Leles hit a sac fly to left, Mesa scored, 4-1. Jill Malina running for Fox. Roth popped to 3rd. Bannister struck out. In the bottom, Alicia Matthews lined out to 2nd. Pinch hitter Allyson McWherter brought cheers when she singled to right. Pinch hitter Bailey Stenson struck out. Charters popped to 1st. Washington was six outs from the plane.

UW put Caitlin Noble on the mound for the 6th, and trouble followed her to the rubber. Balko walked; Arredondo singled to right; Action reached on Noble’s error, loading the bases. Lowe flied out to center, for the first out. Mesa slammed a double to the center field fence, driving in 2 runs, 6-1. Acton scored on a sac fly by Fox. Leles singled, Mesa scored, 8-1. Roth walked. Bannister struck out for the third time. Arizona had sent 9 batters to the plate, now leading 8-1 on 11 hits, after 5.5 innings. More runs than it scored in its previous four games. Washington went down in order to end the 6th.

Arredondo singled in the 7th, and was left. Washington, emptying the bench to give every player a World Series moment, sent Amanda Fleischman to the plate, strikeout. Dru Hester struck out. Dani Stuart became Mowatt’s ninth and final victim.

Arizona was on its way to the best two out of three final against Tennessee.

POSTGAME NOTES

Arizona improved to 41-6 this year when scoring first and 23-1 when getting on the board in the first inning. It is now 54-3 all-time when scoring at least one run in the WCWS.
The Wildcats’ seven-run win was the largest margin of victory in a WCWS semifinal since 1996. The Wildcats defeated Iowa 10-2 in a six-inning run-rule in advancing to the championship game where they defeated Washington 6-4.
Arizona became the first team since 2003 to win two games on Sunday and advance to the championship game/series. UCLA and California accomplished the feat in ’03 as the Bruins won the title.
Arizona junior pitcher Taryne Mowatt had recorded 32.6 scoreless innings in this year’s WCWS before Lauren Greer’s RBI single to left in the bottom of the fourth. Mowatt is 4-1 in the WCWS and in her 36 innings has surrendered just 14 hits and three runs (one earned for a 0.20 ERA).
With the win, the Wildcats moved to 4-1 this season against the Huskies. The five-game season series marked the most games between the two squads since 2000 when they faced each other six times.
The Wildcats’ 12 hits in tonight’s contest were the most for Arizona in the 2007 WCWS. They recorded 10 hits against DePaul yesterday.
The Wildcats’ eight runs marked the most runs a team has scored against Washington since UCLA beat the Huskies 10-6 on April 6 of this year.
The seven-run defeat was the worst Washington loss since May 27, 2006.
Wildcat third baseman Jenae Leles was 2-for-2 and tied a season high with four RBIs. Her two-run double in the first inning put the Wildcats up 2-0.
U of A senior shortstop Chelsie Mesa recorded two RBI and a season-high three runs on three hits.
Washington pitcher Caitlin Noble made her first postseason appearance on the year. She pitched two innings, scattering four hits and giving up two earned runs with a pair of strikeouts and walks.
With 4,602 fans in attendance for the game, a WCWS record 46,398 people have passed through the entrance gates. The previous record for a WCWS event was 46,122 last year.
The championship series between Arizona and Tennessee will start Monday at 7 p.m. CDT. Game two will be played Tuesday at 7 p.m. and an if-necessary game will be played Wednesday at 7. All games will be televised by ESPN2HD.
Arizona will be going for its second straight national softball title and eighth overall, while Tennessee will aim for its first.






Spy Softball Home Paeg

[Homer Hawks Site Administrator]

From Spysoftball

WCWS CHAMPIONSHIP



ARIZONA 5, TENNESSEE 0

Pitchers Taryne Mowatt vs Monica Abbott



The Wildcats eager for their eighth title, the Vols hungry for their first, squared off for Game 3 and the 2007 Women’s College World Series Championship.



Once again, the coaches shuffled their lineups in an effort to match hitters against the known tendencies of the two pitchers, who have both broken the WCWS record for strikeouts. Mowatt who has pitched eight games in seven days will break the record for innings pitched set two years ago by Michigan’s Jenny Ritter, also a 3-game final.



In the top of the 1st, India Chiles grounded out to Mowatt; Nicole Kajitani, in her first at-bat in the Series, ground out to short; Lindsay Schutzler struck out on a screw ball. In the bottom, Caitlin Lowe got her first hit of the three games; K’Lee Arredondo walked on four pitches; Kristie Fox, batting .500 in the Series, popped to short; Jenae Leles struck out; Chelsi Mesa ground out to 2nd.



Tonya Callahan started the 2nd doing something no Vol could do Tuesday – knocking a base hit off a Mowatt changeup. Tiffany Huff struck out. Shannon Doepking dropped a bunt which rolled down the 3rd base line and stayed fair. Lowe, who has not made an error in center field in four years at Arizona, made a running catch of Alexia Clay’s fly ball. Liane Horiuchi struck out. Sam Bannister, who has four of the right hits off Abbott, ground out to start the Wildcat 2nd. Sarah Akamine flied out. Callista Balko got her first hit of the three games, a double to left which illustrated the difficulty India Chiles has in movement – ACL right knee. Adrienne Acton grounded back to Abbott.



Tennessee, which stranded 14 runners in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss, loaded the bases in the 3rd. Kenora Posey led with a single to center. Chiles reached on an error by Fox at short. Kajitani struck out. Schutzler popped to short. Callahan drew a walk, loading the bags. But, Huff struck out for the second time. The Vols had stranded five; Mowatt had fanned five. Lowe singled to open the Wildcat 3rd. Arredondo sacrificed. Fox was given a pass. Leles worked a 3-1 count and walked, loading the bases with one out. Abbott, the 2007 player of the year who set new records for strikeouts, and was the NCAA leader in shutouts, wins and appearances, has just one K so far but 3 walks. Mesa worked a full count and grounded to 2nd; Leles ran into Posey, and was out, the runners who had been going on contact had to return to their bases, Mesa was given a single. Bannister looked at a third strike, inside, a corner Abbott had been missing. In three innings, Abbott had two Ks, Mowatt five. Arizona had stranded six.



Doepking led the Vols 4th, drawing Mowatt’s second walk, Caitlin Ryan in to run. Clay worked a full count, struck out on an outside change. Horiuchi sacrificed Ryan to 2nd. Pinch hitter Anita Manuma ground out to 1st. Akamine struck out in the bottom. Balko struck out. Acton looked at a third strike. Abbott had struck out the side (5).



Chiles led the 5th with a single to short. Kajitani popped to Bannister at 1st. Schutzler singled to left. Callahan, the Vols leading HR hitter, looked at a third strike. Huff, who had struck out twice, struck out again; the Vols had stranded eight. One had only to look at co-coach Karen Weekly, who last night commented on UT’s failure to capitalize on its opportunities. They had now stranded 22 runners in the last 15 innings. In the Arizona 5th, Lowe beat out a grounder to Abbott, her third hit. Arredondo singled, Lowe racing to 3rd, on the fielding error, no outs. Fox was again given an intentional pass, loading the bases. Leles singled up the middle, Lowe and Arredondo scoring, Arizona 2-0. Jill Malina in to run for Leles. Tennessee trails for the first time in the Series. Arizona is 56-3 in WCWS when scoring 2 or more runs. Mesa, whose error earlier in the series led to a loss, jacked a rise ball for a 3-run home run (her 9th) over the right field fence, Wildcats 5-0. Bannister made the first Arizona out, popup to short. Akamine struck out for the second time. Balko ground out to 3rd.d This night, there would be no question about the length of Danielle Rodriguez’ fingertips; the Wildcats had hit Abbott – hard.



Tennessee, making its third trip to the WCWS, now had six outs to make its bid for the 2007 title. Doepking walked; Clay singled. Horiuchi flied out to left. The runners moved up on a passed ball. Posey singled to 3rd, no play, bases loaded for the second time in the game. Chiles, the SEC player of the year, who was hitting .333 with the bases loaded this season, popped a fly ball which Fox caught behind 3rd. Pinch hitter Danielle Pieroni went to a full count and struck out on a rise ball, Mowatt’s 9th. The Vols had left 11 on base.



Earlier this year, when it became known that prize recruit Amanda Williams would not be pitching for the Wildcats, Candrea was asked how far Mowatt, who worked behind Alicia Hollowell for two years, could take his team: all the way. He had told her she would have to shoulder the burden if they were to repeat.



Now, Mowatt was 3 outs from “all the way” against the Vols who were heavily favored in many quarters.



Acton struck out to start the Arizona 6th. Lowe hit her fourth single. She was 0-6 in the first two games, 4-4 tonight. Arredondo popped to short. The Vols finally decided to pitch to Fox who singled, her 11th hit of the Series, tying UCLA’s Natasha Watley. UofA now had 10 hits to six for UT. Leles ground out to 3rd. Abbott had 7 strikeouts.



Now, unless her mates rallied, Abbott would join Catherine Osterman of Texas in the ranks of great pitchers who did not win a World Series in three or more tries. Tennessee had held the #1 ranking in the weekly polls longer than any team; Arizona was usually found in the middle of the Top 10. But, nobody plays together as a team better than Arizona, especially in the playoffs.



Schutzler struck out, Mowatt’s 10th. Callahan looked at a third strike. Huff who had struck out three times walked. Mowatt had a stunned look. Doepking grounded out to Leles at 3rd – and Arizona had won its 8th world championship.



Mowatt was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2007 WCWS.



Ironically, amidst all the joy, there was the realization that Mike Candrea might not return. He will take a year off, again, to coach the USA Olympic team. His future plans are not known. Ironically, Monica Abbott is expected to be one of the pitchers on the USA national team.



The All-Tournament Team is as follows:

Monica Abbott, Senior, Pitcher, Tennessee
Ashley Charters, Junior, Shortstop, Washington
India Chiles, Senior, Outfielder, Tennessee
Kristie Fox, Senior, Shortstop, Arizona
Danielle Lawrie, Sophomore, Pitcher, Washington
Jenae Leles, Sophomore, Third Baseman, Arizona
Caitlin Lowe, Senior, Centerfielder, Arizona
Ashley Monceaux, Senior, Infielder, Baylor
Lindsay Schutzler, Senior, Centerfielder, Tennessee
Dena Tyson, Senior, First Baseman, Washington
Tammy Williams, Sophomore, Shortstop, Northwestern

Most Outstanding Player: Taryne Mowatt, Junior, Pitcher, Arizona

POSTGAME NOTES

Championship Series Game 3:

Arizona 5, Tennessee 0



Arizona captured its eighth national title. The Wildcats trail only UCLA (10) in all-time NCAA softball crowns.


U of A became the first team to win a championship after advancing through the losers’ bracket since UCLA accomplished the feat in 2003. The ‘Cats are also the first team to do it under the championship series format instituted in 2005.


The Wildcats are the first team to win back-to-back titles since UCLA won consecutive crowns in 2003 and 2004.


After fanning 11 Lady Vols tonight, Arizona’s Taryne Mowatt passed Tennessee’s Monica Abbott for the WCWS single-season strikeout record. Mowatt struck out 76 batters in 2007, while Abbott finished with 75 K’s.


With tonight’s win Mowatt broke the Arizona single-season record for victories with her 42nd. Alicia Hollowell owned the previous record with 41 victories in 2006.


Mowatt’s 60 innings pitched in the 2007 College World Series broke the previous record of 53 held by Michigan’s Jennie Ritter (2005). Mowatt delivered every Arizona pitch in this year’s event.


Arizona’s Kristie Fox recorded her 11th hit of the 2007 WCWS, tying the record of UCLA’s Natasha Watley set in 2003.


The Wildcats’ Caitlin Lowe recorded four hits against Abbott tonight, the only player to accomplish the feat against the Tennessee ace this year.


Arizona’s seniors (Lowe, Fox and Chelsie Mesa) were a combined 7-9 at the plate tonight. Mesa delivered a three-run homer in the fifth inning to cap the game’s scoring.


UT’s Abbott struck out the side in the fourth inning, the 123rd time this season she has accomplished the feat.


The Lady Vols’ Kenora Posey tied the single-season WCWS steals record with four. She shares the top spot with Lowe, who had four steals in 2006, and two others.


Leadoff hitters reached base eight times tonight (five times for Tennessee and three for Arizona).


Tennessee finished the season with a record of 63-8. The team’s .887 winning percentage was the highest in Lady Vols history.


This year’s event marked the best-attended Women’s College World Series in history. A total of 62,463 fans passed through the gates of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, including 5,533 for tonight’s game. The 2007 attendance total broke the previous WCWS record (set last year) by a staggering 16