Turlock, Calif. (Mar. 29) - The 18th annual Tournament of Champions began today as the Central Washington University softball team took on the Academy of Art and CSU Chico. The Wildcats scored 10 runs in the final two innings to dethrone the Urban Knights 13-9 in the afternoon. In the evening, CSU Chico outlasted the Wildcats 2-1.
"We were resilient," CWU head coach Mike Larabee said. "During the course of the season, you have to be able to grind out games. We did that today."
The Wildcats (19-8) trailed the Urban Knights (5-9) 7-3 entering the sixth inning. With one out, Kayla Ellis drew a walk and was pinch ran for by Keegan Wise. Bethany Balucan followed with a single into right field, placing runners on first and second for Rachael Johnson. Johnson put the ball in play, as an error by the first basemen loaded the bases.
Savannah Egbert grounded into a fielder's choice that saw Wise called out at the plate. Katie Kastning came to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. Kastning was hit by pitch, plating a run for the Wildcats. Alycia Bannan followed by drawing a walk that plated another run. The Urban Knight lead had shrunk to 7-5.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Maddy Zerr came up clutch for the Wildcats. Zerr ripped a single into left field, scoring Kastning and Egbert to tie the game 7-7. In total, the Wildcats plated four runs in the sixth inning.
The Urban Knights didn't go away quietly, plating two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 9-7 lead. The seventh inning opened with a double from Julia Reuble into the left field. Mikayla Kopacz came through with a single, putting runners are the corners with nobody out. Later, Johnson would walk, loading the bases with just one out.
Egbert stepped to the plate hoping to give the Wildcats the lead. Egbert put the ball in play, it was fielded by the shortstop who committed a throwing error on the play. Paige Liikala, who pinch ran for Kopacz, and Sydney Brown took advantage of the poor fielding and scored.
The game was tied 9-9 when Bannan stepped to the plate. Bannan already had a strong offensive day at the plate, smacking her sixth home run of the season in the third inning. Bannan did it again. This time, it was a three-run shot that gave the Wildcats an 12-9 lead.
"She's just swinging the bat really well right now," Larabee said. "She's always been a clutch hitter, even back to last year. She's been able to contribute off the bench and make the most of her opportunities. She's getting the job done right now."
Kayla Smith added an insurance run with a double that scored Zerr. The Wildcats owned a 13-9 lead heading into the Urban Knights' last chance. The Wildcats slammed the door on the Urban Knights, taking the game in come-for-behind fashion.
When the Wildcats took on CSU Chico (18-7), the same offensive fireworks were absent. Rather, the two teams experienced a pitchers duel, as Lexie Strasser and Chico's Brooke Larsen went at their opponents.
"Both pitchers were phenomenal tonight," Larabee said. "It was your classic fast pitch game that featured two great pitchers. Both teams played great defense for the most part. The game really had a 'super regional type feel' to it."
The Wildcats got to Larsen in the fourth inning. Kastning opened the inning with a single up the middle. Kastning advanced to second after Zerr reached on a fielder's choice. Once again, Bannan came through for the Wildcats. It was a single into right field that allowed Kastning to hustle home. The Wildcats claimed a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Strasser mowed through the Chico offense. Through five innings, Strasser had allowed just one hit while striking out four batters. Chico got to Strasser in the sixth inning, plating a run that tied the game 1-1 entering the seventh inning.
Chico's Bailey Akins led off the home half of the seventh inning with a double. Strasser was able to get strike out the next batter. Larsen became Chico's hero, driving in the game winning run.
"We learned that we can compete with nationally competitive teams," Larabee said. "Tonight we were right there but it boiled down to a timely hit. Lexie pitched great, defense played great and our energy was great. We have to be able to bring the same level of energy tomorrow."
The Wildcats take on Azusa Pacific at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. For the second time this season, the Wildcats face Hawaii Pacific. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
