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St. Cloud State University
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Sports
Huskies split with Bison
By Derek Sullivan
Published:
Thursday, April 15, 2004
The SCSU softball team rebounded from a rare loss to snatch a pivotal road win against the North Dakota State University Bison Tuesday.
SCSU, ranked third in the North Central region, defeated sixth- ranked NDSU 3-2 in the second half of the North Central Conference doubleheader. NDSU scored a 2-1 victory in the first game.
The Bison won the first game behind All-American pitcher Lindsey Graham. Not only did Graham pitch a four-hitter with eight strikeouts, the senior got a bases loaded single. The third-inning hit knocked in both runs in the victory. SCSU head coach Paula U'Ren said one big hit could win a close game.
"Close games usually come down to defense and just one play," U'Ren said. "They came up with the big play."
The Huskies jumped on the Bison in the nightcap.
NDSU started sophomore Courtney Lacock in the second game. Lacock would face only three hitters, before first game winner Graham would retake the rubber.
SCSU junior left fielder Abby Velta led off the game with a hit. Center fielder Cally Stewart worked a walk. Senior All-American Brooke Gentzler singled up the middle to score Velta.
The top of the line-up supplied five hits for the Huskies. U'Ren said that Velta, Stewart and Gentzler know what it takes to beat a top-ranked team.
"In big game situations, you need your big players to come through," U'Ren said. "They definitely contributed today."
The Huskies rallied again in the second inning. Again, the Huskies got their lead-off batter on base. Senior designated hitter and pitcher Nicole Webb reached on an error by Bison third baseman Meghan Norris. One out later, sophomore catcher Jessica Preiner singled. Velta followed with her second hit of the game. For the second time in the game, Gentzler came to bat with the bases loaded. The senior delivered for a second consecutive time. Gentzler singled between short and third plating Webb. After two innings, SCSU led 2-0.
First-year SCSU pitcher Lacey Trossbach sailed through the first three innings, allowing only one hit. In the fourth inning, Bison second baseman Jenny Bakke reached after being hit by the pitch. Trossbach then walked Graham. Two outs later, Lacock knocked in two runs with a double, off-setting the two runs she allowed in the first.
With the score tied at two, SCSU manufactured the tie breaking run in the top of the fifth. Senior shortstop Angie Berg doubled with one out, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Junior third baseman Megan Fuches slapped the ball to right field. Although Fuches was thrown out at first, Berg scored with ease.
Webb took over for Trossbach in the bottom of the fifth. The Tigard, Ore. native allowed only two singles, picking up the save.
"She kept NDSU's hitters off balance and our defense played well behind her," U'Ren said.
The win brought SCSU's record to 3-3 in the NCC conference and 23-8 overall.
Velta and Gentzler led the Huskies with two hits a piece. Gentler said getting Velta on base usually leads to victory.
"Velta is a wonderful slapper," Gentzler said. "Our coach says 90 percent of the time she gets on base, she scores."
In the doubleheader, Webb pitched nine innings and gave up nine hits. Gentzler said Webb was only a big hit away from earning a first-game victory.
"She pitched a solid first game," Gentzler said. "We just could not get that second run in the seventh (inning)."
This Saturday at Selke Field, SCSU entertains the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. The Mavericks are ranked No. 1 in the region and number four nationally.
SCSU will try and hand the Mavericks (8-0, 36-4) its first conference losses. U'Ren sees plenty of similarities between the two nationally-ranked teams.
"We match up well against Omaha," U'Ren said. "We both have lots of speed and power in our line-ups."
Gentzler looks forward to continuing the rivalry.
"There has always been a thing between us and UNO," Gentzler said. "It will be a battle."
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