Feb. 15, 2008

Box Score

PHOENIX, AZ - Freshman shortstop Caitlin Dotlich (Sedro-Woolley/Burlington-Edison) drove in four runs and scored two as Western Washington University got its first win of the season, defeating Eastern New Mexico University 7-1 on Friday at the Schutt/Triple Crown Sports Division II Lead-Off Softball Classic being played at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.

The Vikings, 1-2, will play one or two more games later today at the tourney which runs through Saturday. ENMU dropped to 10-4 with its first loss in three tourney games.

Dotlich got Western off to a quick start with a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. It was the first hit of her collegiate career. She also had a run-scoring double in the Vikings' three-run third.

Dotlich was 2-for-3 as were first baseman Meghan Flem (So., Hood River, OR/Hood River Valley) and outfielder Michelle Wrigley (Fr., Bothell/Inglemoor). Flem drove in a run and scored in both rallies.

Western pitcher Jessica Rosencrants (Jr., Sequim/Peninsula CC) evened her record at 1-1 as she scattered eight hits, struck out four and walked one.

ENMU got its only run in the top of the third when Laura Thompson doubled and later scored on a ground out.

Nicole Dickson (2-1) pitched just two innings in getting the loss. She gave up four earned run and five hits. Natalie Woodside worked the final four innings, allowing three runs and four hits.

Western did not score a run Thursday in 13 innings, being no-hit in a 4-0 loss to defending West Region champion Cal State Stanislaus and having the eight-run rule end a 10-0 setback to Minnesota State.

Dotlich is not the first Viking to have her first collegiate hit be a home run. Teammate Morgan Parkerson (Jr., RAF Lakenheath, England) did that two years ago.