Laura Severson hurled a three-hit, complete game shutout to lead No. 12 Stanford past host Fresno State 3-0 in the NCAA Region VI title game on Sunday afternoon in a steady drizzle at Bulldog Diamond.
May 21, 2006
Box Score
FRESNO, Calif.- Laura Severson hurled a three-hit, complete game shutout to lead No. 12 Stanford past host Fresno State 3-0 in the NCAA Region VI title game on Sunday afternoon in a steady drizzle at Bulldog Diamond.
With the victory, the Cardinal (42-16) advance to next week's NCAA Super Regional against Alabama. The Bulldogs wrap up their season with a 37-19 overall mark.
An impressive pitcher's duel for five innings, Stanford finally broke through with a three-run sixth inning that ultimately decided the contest. The game featured just eight hits, five by the Cardinal.
Severson, who pitched Stanford past Cal State Fullerton 4-1 in an elimination game on Saturday night, worked quickly and efficiently as she allowed just three hits. She did not record any strikeouts or walks.
Fresno State freshman standout Robin Mackin bounced back from a loss earlier in the afternoon and turned in a solid outing. Mackin, whose 3-0 shutout of the Cardinal on Saturday propelled the Bulldogs into the regional final, went the distance with five strikeouts and did not walk a batter. She completes a stellar freshman season that included jaw-dropping totals in wins (28), ERA (1.54), shutouts (14), innings pitched (273.1) and strikeouts (402).
However, she suffered a tough loss on Sunday as the Bulldog bats were held silent by Severson, a senior starter with a 10-0 record. Only Daisy Gaynor could solve Severson at the plate, finishing 2-2 with a double. Two of Fresno State's three hits came with two out.
The Bulldogs' best chance to score came in the bottom of the fifth, when Gaynor stroked a two-out double to left-center only to be stranded at second when Severson induced a ground ball for the third out.
All three Stanford runs came across in the top of the sixth. Tricia Aggabao led off with a single to center, moved to second on sacrifice bunt and scored to make it 1-0 on an RBI single by Catalina Morris.
An error by
Katrina Jacques allowed Morris to move to second and Jackie Rinehart followed with a dribbler up the third base line that stayed fair, putting runners on first and third. Lauren Lappin's sacrifice fly scored Morris to make it 2-0 with Rinehart advancing to second on the play. Maddy Coon then lofted a single just out of the reach of shortstop
Christina Clark and Rinehart scored the game's third run.
Clark, a three-time WAC Player of the Year and two-time All-American, played her final game as a Bulldog and went 0-3.
