Lock Haven eliminated in NCAA Division II softball tournament
By Bob Allen , For The Sun-GazetteHOUSTON — Lock Haven wanted revenge on Humboldt State for its 10-inning loss to the Lumberjacks in Wednesday’s opening game of the 2008 NCAA Division II softball tournament.
Humboldt State, ranked No. 8, wanted to prove its victory over the nation’s No. 1-ranked Lady Eagles was no fluke and sent out pitcher Lizzy Prescott to meet fellow All-American Kristin Erb.
Consider that case proven. Humboldt State scored in the top of the 17th inning and LHU didn’t respond in the bottom half, ending the Lady Eagles’ hopes for a second national title with a 1-0 victory.
Lock Haven finished its season 49-8 after advancing to Friday night’s game with a 3-0 win over Ferris State earlier in the day.
The second game belonged to the pitchers from the start. Erb allowed just two baserunners, despite striking out only four through the first eight innings.
In the meantime, Prescott was serving up a steady diet of eye-high fastballs, also allowing only two runners through the first eight innings while striking out 14.
After retiring the first 14 batters she faced, Prescott finally made a mistake, putting an off-speed pitch right down the middle of the plate to Erica Eisenbise, who lined it into center for a single. The next hitter, Devin Glezen, fouled off seven pitches before striking out to end the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, Prescott hit Amanda Gutmaker with a pitch, but a fielder’s choice ground out by Krystin Montoro, and outs by Popovich and Norris closed out the inning.
Sarah Norris nearly ended the game for Lock Haven in the bottom of the ninth. With two out and nobody on, Norris drove the ball deep into center field, just a few feet to the left of the 250-foot sign. The ball went over the fence, but in the glove of Lumberjack center fielder Chrissy Motzny, who crashed through the fence while hanging on to the ball for the final out.
Erb allowed runners in the 10th, 11th, and 12th innings, but escaped each time. Prescott retired the side in order in each of those innings.
Catastrophe nearly struck in the top of the 13th for Lock Haven. With two out, Warren reached on an error by shortstop Ilia Lopez. Nikki Ketteringham then singled in the infield, but Warren rounded second base too far and was tagged in a rundown by Norris.
Erb retired the side in order in the top of the 14th.
The Lady Eagles missed two opportunities to put the game away when Erb and Glezen were stranded after reaching on errors.
Julia Popovich singled and scored to start the first game, giving Lock Haven the lead for good against Ferris State.
Lock Haven 3, Ferris State 0
Lock Haven 100 011 0 — 3 6 2
Ferris State 000 000 0 — 0 1 3
Kristin Erb and Amanda Roosa. S. Mueller and Bailey. W-Erb (43-7). L-Mueller (16-7).
Top LHU hitters: Erb 2B, Glezen 2B, Gutmaker 2B.
