May 14, 2006

Box Score

vs. HSU    vs. CSUB

Bakersfield, CA -- The Toros' run at the Far West Region Title came to end as CCAA Champion Cal State Bakersfield no-hit CSUDH in a 3-0 shutout to advance to the College World Series, one game after the Toros sent top-ranked Humboldt State packing in a dramatic 3-2 win to set up the all-CCAA title match-up.

The Toros end their season at 46-11, equaling the highest number of wins in a season and setting the team record for fewest losses.

After not hitting one long ball in the first four games of the tournament, the Toros went yard twice against the Lumberjacks in the opener, with Araceli Martinez (Downey, CA/Warren HS) providing the dramatic game-winning bomb on a 2-0 pitch in the top of the 7th, just the second home run of Martinez's career. That bomb came after Pebbel Prestwood (Hesperia, CA/CS Stanislaus) tied the game in the 4th at 1-1 with a line drive over the left field fence for her 4th home run of the season.

Prestwood's resurgent hitting helped change HSU's strategy in the Toros' favor on an intentional walk went awry after 'Jack starter Lizzy Prescott uncorked consecutive wild pitches in the 6th, with the first advancing Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) and Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/SE Missouri Univ.) to 2nd and 3rd, and the second allowing Moreno to scamper home, getting her hand just under a trio of 'Jacks surrounding home plate for a 2-1 lead.

The momentum wouldn't last long, however, as Brandi Harrison tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the 6th, taking a 3-1 offering from Toro starter Jackie Miller (Bremerton, WA/CS Stanislaus) and sending it over the left-center field fence, eventually setting up Martinez's game winning heroics which sent the Toros to a championship match-up against the host 'Runners.

"To beat Humboldt was a really great thing, especially when it really counted,” began head coach Jim Maier. “Whether we won or lost, we played good softball and that was the really key thing. We seemed to peak at the right time."

Against CSUB for the Far West title, Miller and 'Runner starter Melissa Wooldridge showed why they were two of the top pitchers in the league, allowing one hit between them over the first 5 innings.

The hosts eventually would break through in the 6th inning, loading the bases on consecutive singles to open the frame, and a Toro fielder error. After CSUDH escaped damage by inducing CCAA MVP Renee Rubio to ground to Miller for the force at home, Amber Mills brought home the game's first run with a ground out to 1B, after which Bethany Snow hammered Miller's first pitch to left field, driving home the final two runs of the game.

The only drama remaining was whether Wooldridge's no-hitter would remain in tact, and remain it did as the CSUB junior retired three of the four batters in the 7th, with Natalie Greco (Downey, CA/Warren HS) reaching base on a Rubio two-out throwing error.

"They've always been a tough opponent since I got here six years ago,” said Maier about the Far West representative in the upcoming College World Series, beginning Thursday. “The thing that concerned me the most was that we had to play this morning in a very emotional game and throw the same pitcher, and then we were going to have to ask that same pitcher to come back and throw another 7 innings. They were fresh, and in the heat, that probably helped them. They're always in my mind one of the top teams nationally and obviously in the CCAA, and I've got a lot of respect for Cal State Bakersfield."

Three Toros were named to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship West Region All-Tournament Team, which included Martinez, Perry-Brown and Miller, who ended the Regional with a 4-1 mark and 20-4 record in 2006.

The Toros finish their 2006 season at 46-11, matching the record for most wins in a season while establishing a new record for fewest losses. Overall, CSUDH set seven team records and tied the mark for victories after setting nine team marks last season. Although graduating eight seniors, CSUDH returns two of their three pitchers from this season's record-breaking team, and seven players who have a deep post-season run under their collective belts.

“We had our best year statistically, and were just one game away in a tough region,” Maier concludes. “Every year we seem to climb the ladder and next year will be a real challenge for us, but we'll be ready to go."