March 7, 2009

Box Score

Reno, Nev. - Senior Heidi Helberg (Brentwood, Calif.) stranded seven base runners to lead the Pacific softball squad to a 3-0 victory over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, Mar. 7 in the second game for both teams at the Wolf Pack Classic hosted by Nevada.

The victory moved the Tigers to 7-9 on the season, while Southern Utah fell to 7-13.

The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the first inning as freshman Alexa Rivera (Sacramento, Calif) worked a bases loaded walk to bring home freshman Paige Emerson (Rocklin, Calif.), who reached after being hit by a pitch.

Pacific added to its 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on two hits and a walk. Sophomore Nicole Matson (Castaic, Calif.) started the Tigers' rally with a one-out walk. Freshman Amanda Collier (Sparks, Nev.) followed with a line single up the middle, sending Matson to second. With two outs in the inning, Rivera smacked a two-run double to the right field wall, pushing the Tigers lead to 3-0.

That was all te support that Helberg needed as Heidi held Southern Utah to four hits and five walks in seven innings to earn her fourth victory (4-2). The shutout was the first of the season for the Tigers.

Southern Utah's Katherine Brooks suffered the loss (7-12) as she allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks.

Rivera led the Tigers at the plate, finishing the day 1-for-2 with three RBI.

The Tigers return to the diamond on Monday, Mar. 9 as Pacific hosts Northern Illinois for a doubleheader in Bill Simoni Field. The first game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. PT