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After getting run-ruled in Game 1, Louisiana and Washington came back to Husky Softball Stadium for Game 2. Meghan Schorman and Lindsey Lopez were both incredible in the circle, but Washington got timely hits and runs when they needed them to advance to the Women’s College World Series with a 2-0 win.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Louisiana had multiple opportunities in the first three innings where they had two runners on base but couldn’t convert. Through three innings, the Cajuns stranded five base runners in Game 2 and 13 runners for the weekend.
The toughest instance was when a pitch hit Jourdyn Campbell to start the inning. Alexa Langeliers then had a line drive that went right to the shortstop that caught Campbell in between first and second to record the double play.
In the sixth, Baylee Klingler started the inning with a double followed by a Sami Reynolds single to put runners at the corners with one out. Shortly after Reynolds stole second on a 2-2 pitch to Madison Huskey, she hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score the runner and give Washington their first lead of the game.
Karly Heath started the sixth with a single and advanced to second on a stolen base, but she was stranded yet again for the eighth base runner to be stranded by Louisiana.
In the seventh, Washington got a runner to third off a single and some sacrifice groundouts. Then, after a ball, Sophie Piskos threw the pitch back to Sam Landry and as the throw left the catcher’s hand, Brooklyn Carter stole home and got in under the throw to make it 2-0.
Ruby Meylan, Washington’s ace freshman, came in for the seventh and shut the door, tying the program record for saves in a season with seven. Washington advances to the Women’s College World Series with a 2-0 win over Louisiana.
BIG NUMBER: 8
Louisiana stranded eight base runners for the second straight game in Seattle, failing to put a run on the board in either game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Lindsey Lopez
Lopez was brilliant for Washington, pitching six shutout innings with seven hits (all singles) and striking out seven.