Feb. 15, 2007

Box Score

PHOENIX, AZ - Jackie Quint (Sr., Silverdale/Central Kitsap) pitched a four-hit shutout as Western Washington University upset nationally ranked Emporia State University KS, 2-0, in opening-day action Thursday at the Schutt Sports/Division II Lead-Off Softball Classic being held at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.

Earlier, the Vikings fell 4-1 to Texas A&M University Kingsville. All five runs in the game were unearned.

It was the season debut for Western (1-1), which was making its earliest start since 1996. Emporia, ranked No.3 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Preseason Poll, fell to 4-3 and TAMUK improved to 6-3.

In the Emporia game, Quint (1-0) gave up just one extra-base hit, striking out six and not allowing a walk in seven innings of work. She retired eight straight batters during one stretch.

The Vikings scored both of their runs in the top of the seventh inning. Lisa Pendergrast (Jr., Burlington/Burlington-Edison) led off with a single and advanced to third on a bunt single by Sarah McEnroe (Fr., Woodinville). Nicole Walker (Sr., Kenmore/Juanita) singled home Pendergrast, and Misty Britt (Sr., Kelso) drove in McEnroe with a double. Samantha Sheeley (2-1) pitched a complete game for Emporia, striking out six and walking three.

Walker and Liza Teichler (Jr., Sammamish/Skyline) each was 2-for-3 for Western.

TAMUK scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the fifth following a two-out infield error. Courtney Rigamonti drove in the Javelinas' first run with a double. Another run scored on a bunt single by Sally Lozano, and Joanna Dorado plated two more with a single.

Western scored its only run of the contest in the top of the third when Walker was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a error, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Barker (So., Auburn/Auburn-Riverside). Walker (0-1) went the distance for the Vikings, striking out six, allowing four hits and walking three.

Natalie Jones (4-2) picked up the win for TAMUK, giving up just two hits, an infield single by Barker in the first and a single by Britt in the sixth.

Jones struck out five as she pitched a complete game.

Western completes pool play Friday (8:30 a.m.) against Notre Dame de Namur University, then begins bracket play.