May 13, 2011

Box Score

CHICO, Calif. - Unable to take advantage of scoring opportunities in the second and fourth innings, Western Washington University fell 3-1 to host and No.4 seed Chico State in an opening-round game Friday at the NCAA Division II West Sub-Regional being held at University Field.

The Vikings, the No.5 seed, play No.8 seed Central Washington, which lost 2-1 earlier in the day to No.1 seed UC San Diego, in a loser-out contest at 1:30 p.m. UC San Diego and Chico State meet in a winner's bracket game at 11 a.m.

Western, making its third NCAA post-season appearance and first since 2007, fell to 36-15. Chico State improved to 30-17.

Western's Erika Quint (Sr., Silverdale/Central Kitsap) (28-6) pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and walking four. For the first time this year, she did not record a strikeout when working at least one inning. Quint entered the game ranked eighth nationally in strikeouts with 286 in 221-2/3 innings pitched.

Trailing 2-0, the Vikings loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a catcher's interference. But Chico State pitcher Sam Baker (21-9) ended the threat with a strikeout and a line out to the third baseman.

In the fourth inning, Western had runners on first and third with one out following back-to-back singles by catcher Jackie Rothenberger (So., Coquitlam, B.C./Gleneagle Secondary) and shortstop Caitlin Dotlich (Sr., Sedro-Woolley/Burlington-Edison). Baker was again able to escape by getting an infield popup and a ground out.

Chico State increased its lead to 3-0 in the sixth on a leadoff home run by Hilary Stockman, her ninth of the season.

Western scored its only run in the bottom of that frame. Outfielder Meghan Carrillo (Fr., Prunedale, CA/North Monterey County) was hit by a pitch to lead off. Pinch runner Hilary Cosentino (Sr., Stevenson) stole second, advanced to third on a single by Rothenberger, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dotlich.

The Wildcats opened the game by scoring two runs in the first. With runners on second and third and one out, Stockman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly that was dropped. Two batters later, Jackie Munoz plated another run with a sacrifice fly.

Baker allowed just four hits in going the distance. She struck out four and walked two.

Western and Central, 33-15, have split six meetings this season. The Vikings are still looking for their first NCAA post-season victory, being 0-5.