Box Score

Western Washington 5, UC San Diego 4
Box Score| Game Book

TURLOCK, Calif. -- Western Washington senior right fielder Alexie Levin hit her first career grand slam and drove in all 5 runs to lead the Vikings to a 5-4 victory over UC San Diego Friday afternoon to open play in the Tournament of Champions presented by the City of Turlock.

Levin (Everett, WA) recorded an RBI fielder's choice to tie the game in the 3rd inning and then put a charge into a 2-1 pitch in the 4th inning for her first career grand slam. The home run was the 21st of Levin's career, one shy of the school record held by Meghan Flem (2007-2010).

While Levin carried the WWU offense, sophomore starting pitcher Makinlee Sellevold (Everett, WA/Cascade) recorded a complete-game victory allowing 8 hits and 4 runs while going the distance. She struck out 5 and walked 4 to even her season record at 7-7 on the season.

The Tritons out-hit the Vikings 8-6, led by multi-hit games from catcher Lauren Sanders (2-for-4, HR) and left fielder Taylor Abeyta.

UCSD struck first with a run in the 2nd inning, but Western answered in the top of the 3rd when Levin drove in her first run on a fielder's choice.

Despite having two outs and no runners on base, the Vikings rallied to take the lead with four runs in the top of the 4th inning. Senior Arianna Barrio (Stanwood, WA/Lakewood) walked and junior second baseman Kali Patterson (Bonney Lake, WA) singled to center field. Freshman McKenna Mathis (Mesa, WA/Connell) kept the rally alive being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Levin greeted UCSD relief pitcher Milana Casillas with a home run to left field to give the Vikings a 5-1 lead.

UCSD scored a pair of runs in the 5th inning and climbed to within one run at 5-4 with a single tally in the 6th inning. The Tritons threatened in the bottom of the 7th with a leadoff double by Sanders, but Sellevold got Abeyta to line into a double play and struck out Kendall Baker to end the game.

WWU improved to 18-16 overall with its sixth win in the last eight games. The Vikings will continue play in the TOC this afternoon at 4:30 pm vs. Dominican.