University of St. Thomas Athletics
28-6, 15-1
St. Olaf
14-16, 11-5
Pitching sharp as Softball gets close sweep of Oles
4/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Christy Gries threw a four-hit shutout and the host Tommies pounded 13 hits in winning game one of Thursday's MIAC softball doubleheader with St. Olaf, 4-0.
In game two, Alison's Wright's two-out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Toms to a 2-1 victory and a sweep of the twinbill. Wright had four hits on the day and has hit safely in 27 of her last 28 games.
UST's Marta Radcliffe struck out 16 and allowed four hits, one walk and one run in the complete-game win. Radcliffe has won 17 of her last 18 decisions.
On the day, St. Thomas coach John Tschida won his 600th and 601st career games. His 16-year record is now 601-104, and his .850 winning percentage ranks first among all NCAA softball and baseball coaches at all levels, active or retired.
The Oles' Natalee McNeff went the distance in game two and pitched well. She allowed just two runs and seven hits.
A leadoff walk to Kimmy Hassel and Erica Wilson's one-out single put runners at first and second. After a flyout, Wright's double over the left fielder's head scored the game-winning run for the Tommies (28-6 overall, 15-1 MIAC), who have won 26 of their last 28 games.
UST trailed 1-0 into the fifth inning but tied the game on a bunt single by Becca Eischens, a stolen base and Hassel's RBI double. After a wild pitch, the Oles ended the threat as right fielder Kara Lemmon caught a fly out and gunned down a runner trying to score a go-ahead run from third.
In game one, Wilson had three hits and Hassel, Sydney Marquardt, Wright and Kayla Boward each had two hits. Cassie Smith's pinch-hit bases-loaded single started a three-run fourth inning.
All 17 hits in game one were singles. Gries didn't walk a batter and struck out four.
The Toms play Saturday at second-place Gustavus. The Gusties scored a 4-3 and 3-2 sweep of St. Mary's to remain one game behind UST.
Click here for game one box score:
http://www.tommiesports.com/sftbl/stats/4-17-sbi.htm
Click here for game two box score:
http://www.tommiesports.com/sftbl/stats/4-17-sb2.htm
Below, Alison Wright (Mike Ekern photo)
Above: Christy Gries; below, Kimmy Hassel (Mike Ekern photos)
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Radcliffe (17-3)
L: N. McNeff (5-7)
Batting:
2B: A. Berens 1
RBI: J. Wilson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: K. Speer 1
Batting:
2B: Wright 1 ; Hassel 1
RBI: Wright 1 ; Hassel 1
SH: Radcliffe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Eischens 1 ; Pawlik 1
SB: Wright 1 ; Eischens 1
