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St. Cloud State University
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Softball takes third at nationals
Published:
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Media Credit: Photo provided
The SCSU softball team sits with its third place trophy in Altamonte Spings, Fla.
SCSU Women's softball team finished third at the NCAA Division II Tournament in Altamonte Springs, Fla. the highest finish in history by a Husky softball team.
The Huskies posted a 2-2 in the tournament, which ran May 13-16.
SCSU opened the tournament with a 1-0 victory over the Northern Kentucky University Norse (54-6). The game was an old-fashioned pitchers duel between Northern Kentucky sophomore Krystal Lewallen and SCSU senior Nicole Webb.
Each pitcher carried a shutout into the sixth inning. SCSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth on an infield hit by Callie Stewart and two errors by Norse shortstop Rachele Vogelpohl.
After a double play, sophomore Abby Augdahl hit a clutch two-out single up the middle. Norse center fielder Stephanie Leimbach attempted to throw out Stewart, but the senior's slide beat the throw. After six innings, SCSU led 1-0.
Webb made the single unearned run hold up by retiring Northern Kentucky in order in the seventh. For the game, the Tigard, or native allowed only two hits and struck out eight.
Friday, May 14, SCSU faced the Western New Mexico Mustangs (45-12). Nicole Webb extended her Florida scoreless streak to 14, with a three-hit shutout.
Much like the Northern Kentucky game, SCSU capitalized on their opponent's poor fielding. In the third, a throwing error by Mustangs pitcher Angela Slaugh allowed SCSU catcher Jessica Preiner to reach. The sophomore scored on a hit by All-American left fielder Abby Velta, giving the Huskies 1-0 lead.
SCSU quickly doubled the one-run lead in the fourth. All-American first baseman Brooke Gentzler led off with a home run. Gentzler's drive over the center field wall would be the last hit of the day for the Huskies.
Two runs were more than enough for Webb. The right-hander threw her third consecutive shutout, limiting Western New Mexico to three hits and only one base runner past second base.
SCSU was now only one of two undefeated teams in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament. The Angelo State (Tex.) Rambelles also carried a 2-0 record.
Webb's scoreless streak quickly ended. The right-hander gave up a first inning home run to Angelo State center fielder Michelle Hofman. For the first time in the national tournament, SCSU trailed.
The Huskies would tie the score in the bottom of the first. Velta singled and advanced to second when Rambelle's shortstop Diana Faulkner's throw to first was offline. Velta then stole third and scored on when Angelo State catcher Julia Monsivias throw went into left field. For the third game in a row, SCSU took full advantage of its opponent's misplays.
SCSU would take a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Augdahl singled and came around to score on a hit by third baseman Megan Fuches. Unfortunately, the one-run advantage would not hold up.
Angelo State played long ball again in the top of the seventh. Faulkner, whose throwing error led to a SCSU run in the first, hit a three-run home run over the left field wall. The drive gave the Rambelles a 4-2 lead, heading to the bottom of the seventh.
SCSU used two walks and a one-out hit by junior designated hitter Jessica Swartout to load the bases. The Huskies were unable knock any of the base runners in, and fell to the loser's bracket with a 4-2 loss.
After the loss, SCSU would have to win three consecutive games on Sunday May 16 to be crowned National Champions. The first opponent would be the Florida Southern Moccasins (53-8).
Webb, who was pitching for a fourth straight day, once again got beat by the home run. Webb, who gave up only six home runs before Nationals, allowed a round-tripper for the third consecutive game.
Florida Southern first basemen Jackie Lappla homered, knocking in both runs. SCSU could muster only two hits against Moccasins starting pitcher Megan Brown.
Augdahl and Swartout provided the hits for SCSU. Augdahl was named to the All-Tournament team along with Junior Abby Velta. Both players will return next season.
Next season, SCSU will have to replace three valuable seniors: shortstop Angie Berg, first baseman Brooke Gentzler and starting pitcher Nicole Webb.
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