Feb. 19, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Moraga, Calif. - Behind 12.2 innings from senior Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.) including a win and a save, the Pacific softball squad swept Saint Mary's, 3-2 (10) and 13-6 on Thursday, Feb. 19.
The back-to-back victories elevated the Tigers to 3-4 on the season, while Saint Mary's fell to 1-6 overall. In the opening game, the Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out in the inning, senior Casey Goldsand (Scottdale, Ariz.) drew a walk, then sophomore Nicole Matson (Castaic, Calif.) was hit by a pitch. Junior Kellie Wilson (Tracy, Calif.) lined into a fielder's choice as Goldsand was forced at third. The next batter, freshman Amanda Collier (Sparks, Nev.) worked a walk to load the bases and bring senior Briana Santos (Garden Grove, Calif.) to the plate. Santos ripped a single into center field, plating both Matson and Wilson to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Out to a lead, the Pacific offense went cold and Saint Mary's notched single runs in both the third and the fourth innings to tie the game at 2-2.
Engle held the Gaels and the game right where it was at 2-2 into extra innings, stranding four base runners through the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, then tossing perfect innings in the eighth and ninth frames.
In the top of the tenth, the Tigers got the first two runners on via walks. Senior Brittany Hendrickson (San Jose, Calif.) and sophomore Lindsey Pierce (Camarillo, Calif.) drew bases on balls, then junior Karie Wilson (Glendale, Ariz.) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt down the third base line. Senior Lauren Weyman (Carlsbad, Calif.) followed with a pinch-hit single to plate Hendrickson and give Pacific a 3-2 lead.
Engle (1-3) continued to dominate in the bottom of the tenth, recording two fly outs and a ground out to secure a Pacific victory. In the contest, Engle earned the victory by allowing just two runs on six hits and three walks in 10 innings. Engle also notched eight strikeouts in the win.
Game Two
While the first contest was a pitchers duel, the second game featured all the offense any fan could ask for.
The Gaels grabbed the early lead this time on an unearned run in the bottom of the first, but Pacific bounced back in the top of the third. The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate, knocking out four hits and taking advantage of a huge two-out error to score four unearned runs. The big blast came off the bat of Kellie Wilson, who launched a bases-loaded double into center field, clearing the bases.
Leading 4-1 entering the top of the fourth, Pacific continued to swing the bats well. Pacific racked up four more runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batter. Freshman Paige Emerson (Rocklin, Calif.), Santos and Pierce notched RBI singles in the inning, while Kellie Wilson plated the remaining run with a bases loaded RBI walk.
Trailing 8-1, Saint Mary's made a charge in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs on two hits and two walks, including a grand slam by Katherine Delpit to bring the score to 8-6. After a walk brought the tying run to the plate, Pacific head coach Brian Kolze went back to Engle.
Chelsea mowed down back-to-back hitter to end the threat and stranded two runners in the bottom of the sixth, keeping the score 8-6 in favor of the Tigers.
Pacific had one more offensive explosion remaining and the Tigers unleashed it in the top of the seventh. This time Pacific tallied five runs on five hits and a walk. The big blow came via a two-run double from Collier, while Weyman and Emerson had RBI singles.
Senior Heidi Helberg (Brentwood, Calif.) picked up the win (2-1) allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and two walks. Engle, meanwhile, picked up her first save of the season with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief.
The Tigers return to action on Saturday, Feb. 21 as Pacific faces Santa Clara and Cal State Bakersfield at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. respectively in Bakersfield, Calif.
