TURLOCK, Calif. - Add another accomplishment to the 2007 Sonoma State softball team's resume... winning its first ever NCAA Tournament game. The Seawolves defeated Western Washington 3-1 at the NCAA West Regional in Turlock, Calif., Friday afternoon.
Lindsay Emmel (15-14) was again spectacular for the Seawolves (32-31). Emmel threw seven innings scattering seven hits and allowing only one run while striking out seven. None of her strikeouts were more dramatic than her final punch-out as she got Western Washington (34-22) clean up hitter, Meghan Flem, to swing through a 2-2 pitch to end the game. Flem represented the winning run.
Sonoma State got on the board early when Claire Hiney doubled to lead the game off. After a sacrifice bunt by Alex Winters, Shyrle Hawes singled home Hiney for SSU's first run of the tournament. Sonoma State would add another run in the first when Ashely Eisemann's sac fly brought in Hawes and gave SSU a 2-0 lead.
The Vikings threatened in the first inning when they had runners at the corners and no outs. Emmel abruptly ended the rally as she struck out the side.
Western Washignton cut the lead to 2-1 in the third inning when, with two outs, the sun caused SSU first baseman Eisemann to lose track of the ball. This allowed Flem, who singled earlier in the inning, to score from second.
It seemed the Seawolves tacked on their third run of the game in the fourth inning when Britni Gearly layed down what appeared to be a successful squeeze bunt to score Eisemann. However, Geary was called out for making contact outside of the batter's box. The runners returned to their bases and SSU was unable to score in the inning.
Western Washington looked to capitalize on the momentum in the fifth inning. Viking center fielder Misty Britt started the inning off with an infield single. Then second baseman Katie Barker attempted a sacrafice bunt and reached base when SSU was unsuccessful in throwing out Britt at second. With two on and no outs Emmel was there again to stop the rally. This time she induced three lazy pop-ups and the threat was resolved.
The high afternoon sun that allowed the Vikings to score in the third inning worked against them in the sixth. Melissa Calvin was the beneficiary as the WWU first baseman lost the ball in the sun and Calvin, hustling all the way, advanced to second. Eisemann followed with a single to shortstop and a throwing error allowed Calvin to score and gave SSU a 3-1 lead that they would not relinquish.
Eisemann and Calvin each tallied two hits to lead the Sonoma State offense.
Sonoma State is back in action tomorrow at 9:00 am and will play the loser of the Hawaii-Hilo - Seattle game that will take place at 2:00 pm this afternoon.
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