May 12, 2006

Box Score

Bakersfield, CA -- In a battle of national powers, top-seeded and top-ranked Humboldt State's Jessica Padilla proved she was the most powerful of them all, belting a first inning grand slam and throwing out the Toros' career stolen base leader in Cindy Perry-Brown (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) in the bottom of the 7th, enabling HSU to escape with a 6-5 victory on day two of the NCAA's Far West Regional.

The loss sends the Toros, now 43-10, to the consolation bracket where they will meet Seattle University in an 11:30 a.m. elimination game while the 'Jacks, who improved to 54-4, will meet host Cal State Bakersfield at 2:00 p.m. in a battle of 2006 Far West Region unbeatens.

The 'Jacks struck for five unearned runs in their first at-bat, capitalizing on a dropped pop-up by Perry-Brown with two on and two out to load the bases. After Megan Sutherland knocked in the first run of the game with a single to left, Padilla connected for the big blow off CSUDH starter Amy Thomas (Barstow, CA/Barstow HS), hammering a shot well over the fence in dead center for a quick 5-0 HSU lead.

CSUDH answered in its first inning at-bat with three runs, benefitting from two illegal pitches from HSU reliever Tracy Motzny, who was summoned into the game after just three batters. 'Jack starter Lizzy Prescott would re-enter the game after Motzny plunked Jennifer Wilson (Orange, CA/CS Fullerton), the only batter she faced, and retire the Toros in order on a strikeout and two pop outs.

The Toros tied the contest at 5-5 two innings later as Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS) smacked a two-out double to plate Wilson, and then hustled home from 2B as Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) beat out an infield single to 2B.

After left fielder Elicia Velazquez (San Diego, CA/Palomar JC) gunned down Caitlin Klug at the plate to end the top half of the 4th, the Lumberjacks broke through one inning later as Klug exacted a bit of revenge, lacing an 0-2 pitch down the left field line off Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/CS Stanislaus), the third Toro pitcher of the game, to plate pinch-runner Nikole Gandara with the eventual game-winner.

Perry-Brown gave the Toros one last hope in the 7th, drawing a one-out walk to tie the CSUDH record for walks in a season. The senior speedster however, who had swiped 44-of-47 bases on the season, would be deprived of her 45th as Padilla threw a perfect strike to Carolyn Cameron, who applied the tag on Perry-Brown for the second out. After Prescott snagged a one-hopper from Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) for the final out, all the Toros could do was prepare for tomorrow's match-up with Seattle.

"That's the greatest part of it, just fighting back and getting the game tied," said head coach Jim Maier. "We played hard and with a lot of heart, but that's the way the ball bounces sometimes. If we come out with the same heart and fire against Seattle like we did today against Humboldt, we'll be fine. I still think we have the potential to do very well in this tournament. I told them they should be proud of themselves for fighting back."

Perry-Brown and Martinez led the Toros with two hits apiece, while Kristine Minter (Chula Vista, CA/Hampton University) took the loss in 1.2 innings of relief work, allowing one run on four hits. Four Lumberjacks had two hits apiece, including Padilla, who tallied 4RBI in the win.

The survivor of the Toros and Redhawks match-up will face the winner of San Francisco State and Cal State Stanislaus in another elimination game, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on the Roadrunner Softball Complex.