NCAA Far West Region Softball Championship:
Top Three Seeds All Beaten in Topsy-Turvy Day One
Humboldt State, host CSUDH, Montana State-Billings drop to loser's bracket
May 12, 2005

Carson, CA -- Junior Cindy Perry (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) stroked two hits as part of reaching base safely in all four at-bats, but No. 6 seed Chico State connected for two-run home runs in the 4th and 6th innings to take a 4-2 win in Game 4 of the NCAA DII Softball Far West Regional playoffs.

In the day’s other contests, the Gators followed their 2-0 win over UHH by shocking top-seeded Humboldt State, 1-0, in Game 3, after Chico State bested No. 3-seeded Montana State Billings, 2-1, in Game 2.

Chico State 4, Cal State Dominguez Hills 2

San Francisco State 2, Hawaii-Hilo 0

Chico State 2, Montana State-Billings 1

San Francisco State 1, Humboldt State 0

Chico State 4, Cal State Dominguez Hills 2 Box Score

The Toros' Cindy Perry had two key hits, but host CSUDH was defeated by Chico State 4-2 on the opening day of the Far West Region's Softball Championship. Photo by Michael Foo

Carson, CA -- Junior Cindy Perry (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) stroked two hits as part of reaching base safely in all four at-bats, but No. 6 seed Chico State connected for two-run home runs in the 4th and 6th innings to take a 4-2 win in Game 4 of the NCAA DII Softball Far West Regional playoffs.

With the loss, the 2nd-seeded Toros fall to 45-11, and face 5th-seeded University of Hawaii-Hilo, which dropped a 2-0 decision to 4th-seeded San Francisco State in the day’s opener, in the first elimination matchup of the Far West Region playoffs tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

In the day’s other contests, the Gators followed their win over UHH by shocking top-seeded Humboldt State, 1-0, in Game 3, after Chico State bested No. 3-seeded Montana State Billings, 2-1, in Game 2.

CSUDH started quickly as Perry drew a walk in her first at-bat. After advancing to 2nd on a wild pitch, she moved to 3rd on a Jen Wilson (Orange, CA/Bellflower HS/CS Fullerton) single to right. That set the table for Kate Groden (San Pedro, CA/San Pedro HS/SE Missouri Univ.), who drove home Perry with the game’s first run on a groundout to 2nd base.

The Toros would enjoy their 1-0 lead until the top of the 4th, when CSUDH would give Chico State a costly extra out. After CSUDH starter Valerie Long (Stockton, CA/St. Mary’s HS) retired the first two Wildcats she faced in the inning, CSUC starter Katie Stokx lofted a fly ball to left field, which turned left fielder Crystal Dingman (Sunland, CA/Verdugo HS/College of the Canyons) around and eventually landed untouched for a double. Chelsea Lundberg capitalized on the extra opportunity as she hammered a towering shot that curled just fair beyond the right field fair pole to give Chico State a 2-1 lead.

The Wildcats used another extra out opportunity two innings later to increase their lead to 4-1 as Stokx helped herself with a home run to right center after Nickie Jarrett two batters earlier reached base on an error.

The Toros had a golden opportunity to stage a comeback in their final at-bat after Long led off the frame with a solo shot deep over the center field fence, cutting the deficit in half. After Jennifer Funk (Long Beach, CA/St. Joseph HS/San Diego State) followed with a clean single to right field, a Perry chopper to 3rd, a CSUC throwing error, and a Perry stolen base put runners at 2nd and 3rd with none out, sending the heart of the lineup to the plate. Stokx, however, would dig deep in her second game of the afternoon, retiring Wilson, Groden and Dingman on a groundout, strikeout and groundout for her second win of the day.

“We had our opportunities and we didn’t cash them in,” summarized CSUDH head coach Jim Maier. “Hopefully we can have a good day tomorrow.”

Long threw a complete game in the loss (20-5), allowing four hits and all four runs. Perry added two walks to her two base hits, adding two stolen bases for good measure. Stokx earned her 13th win of the year in the contest (13-7), scattering six hits and two runs, while also leading the Wildcats with two hits.

The Toros face Hawaii-Hilo in a 9 a.m. elimination contest Friday morning, with the winner advancing to play the Humboldt State-Montana State Billings survivor in the day’s final contest, scheduled for 4:30 p.m..

San Francisco State 2, Hawaii-Hilo 0 Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--(May 12, 2005)--Chrissy Hildebrandt went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Sonja Garnett tossed a four-hit shutout to lead No. 4 seed San Francisco State to a 2-0 victory over No. 6 seed University of Hawaii-Hilo in opening round action in the NCAA II Far West Softball Regional at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

SFSU (37-18) picked up the only run they would need in the first on a RBI single by Hildebrandt. The Gators got an insurance run in the third with another run scoring single off the bat of Hildebrandt for the final score.

Garnett (26-7) made it stand up striking out eight and walking only one to lead San Francisco State. Leo Sing Chow (9-4) took the loss for the Vulcans allowing both runs (one earned), on five hits and a walk, while fanning five batters.

SFSU will advance to take on No. 1 seed and second-ranked Humboldt State in game three of the regional beginning at 2 PM. UHH (31-10) will play Friday at 9 AM against host Cal State Dominguez Hills, who lost later in the day to No. 6 seeded Chico State by a score of 4-2.

Chico State 2, Montana State-Billings 1 Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--(May 12, 2005)--Chelsea Lundberg went 2-for-3, including her seventh home run of the year, and drove in two RBI's to lead No 6 seed Chico State to a 2-1 win over No. 3 seed Montana State-Billings in opening round action of the 2005 NCAA II Far West Softball Regional.

Lundberg connected in the fourth inning with a runner on and one out with a deep drive over the centerfield wall to put Chico State (31-14) up, 2-0. That was all the run support starter Katie Stokx (12-7) would need as she went the distance allowing one run on three hits while striking out eight.

Montana State-Billings (34-12) made it interesting in the seventh pushing across a run with two outs. However, Stokx induced a game-ending fielder's choice with runners on first and second the end the game.

Joey Ehnes (27-10) suffered the loss for the Yellowjackets, allowing both runs on six hits while fanning seven batters.

Chico State advances to take on host and No. 2 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills later today at 4:30 p.m. MSU-Billings will play on Friday in the loser's bracket at 11:30 a.m. against No. 1 seed and second-ranked Humboldt State, who were upset later in the day by San Francisco State, 1-0.

San Francisco State 1, Humboldt State 0 Box Score

CARSON, Calif.--(May 12, 2005)--Nichole Ramirez scored from third base on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and pitcher Sonja Garnett made it stand up as No. 4 seed San Francisco State knocked No. 1 seed Humboldt State into the loser's bracket 1-0, in opening round action at the 2005 NCAA II Far West Softball Regional held at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Garnett (27-7) picked up her second win and second shutout on the day after tossing a four-hit, eight strikeout complete game gem earlier in the day against Hawaii-Hilo. Garnett stifled the Lumberjacks, ranked No. 2 in the latest NFCA national poll, allowing only four hits, no walks and striking out four.

Humboldt State (60-5) threatened in the bottom of the fifth with runners on second and third and two outs. However, Garnett got Michelle Block to ground out into an inning-ending fielder's choice to end the threat.

Lumberjack starter Lizzy Prescott (24-3) suffered the loss going the first five innings, allowing a run on three hits and struck out four. Tracy Motzny tossed the final two innings giving up a hit while striking out two.

Humboldt State will take on Montana State-Billings in the loser's bracket Friday morning beginning at 11:30 a.m. San Francisco State moves on to face No. 6 seed Chico State tomorrow at 2 PM, who upset No. 2 seed and host Cal State Dominguez Hills, 4-2, later in the day.