2013 Softball World Series Columbia Super Regional Breakdown
Location: Columbia, Missouri
#6 Missouri vs. #11 Washington
How They Advanced:
Fans of outstanding pitching were not disappointed as # 6 Missouri hosted this regional. Missouri won the opener 3-0 over Stony Brook with Nicole Hudson in the circle, allowing Chelsea Thomas to rest. Jenna Marston’s three-run home run provided the offense. Hofstra opened with ace Olivia Galati who threw a five hit shutout over Oregon State. Tessa Ziemba stroked a two run double in the win, setting up a much anticipated pairing of Thomas and Galati, two of the nation’s top pitchers.
The Saturday matchup lived up to the hype. Galati gave up only one hit and the run was unearned, but Mizzou prevailed 1-0. Thomas scattered eight hits in the win while Emily Crane’s timely single scored Princess Krebs with the game’s only run.
Hofstra showed their mettle by scoring five times in the 10th inning, advancing to Sunday in an 8-4 win over Oregon State. Galati homered and threw all 10 innings.
Needing only one win on Sunday to reach the Supers, and with a banged up Chelsea Thomas, Missouri tried to sneak a win out of Nicole Hudson. It didn’t work. A combination of Missouri errors and three run home runs by Becca Bigler and Caryn Bailey led to a nine run second inning. The Pride cruised to a 10-0 victory in five innings, setting up a winner-take-all showdown.
Not able to sit Chelsea Thomas any longer, Missouri let loose her power and change of speed on Hofstra. Thomas was brilliant, holding down the Pride offense to but one hit in seven innings. Kelsea Roth hit a solo home run in the second and Nicole Hudson went deep in a three run fifth. Missouri will be host to the Super Regional at Columbia.
In Seattle, junior Bryana Walker’s 13 strikeouts paced the #11 Huskies past a tough Portland State softball team resulting in a 2-1 win. Kaitlin Inglesby broke a fifth inning tie with a sacrifice fly. A winner’s bracket game versus Hawaii was set up on a two run triple by Kayla Wartner to defeat Minnesota 3-0. The Huskies advanced to Sunday’s final behind another strong Inglesby effort, shutting out Hawaii 2-0. Hawaii earned the rematch with Washington, defeating Minnesota 3-0 to avoid elimination.
Sunday - Bryana Walker picked an excellent time to throw a no-hitter. Not only did it secure a Super Regional spot, but she picked a day when her offense would collect 12 hits, including Kaitlyn Inglesby and Whitney Jones homers. The 8-0 win allowed Walker to be in the circle for just five innings. Washington advances to face Missouri in the Columbia Super.
Columbia Super Projection:
The pitching edge goes to Missouri. While Washington’s Inglesby and Walker are good, Mizzou’s Thomas is something special. If the Huskies can squeak a win somewhere, they may have an advantage as Thomas is not 100 percent healthy. To get to OKC, the Huskies will have to win a low scoring affair or two, a tall task. Look for Thomas to try to avoid a third game. Take Missouri in a sweep.
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