UC San Diego Opens West Super Regional with a Win
Originally posted on ucsdtritons.com
IRVINE, Calif. – No. 14 UC San Diego secured a six-inning, 9-1 victory over No. 9 Concordia Irvine in the first game of the West Super Regional at Eagles Field in Irvine. With the win, the Tritons improve to 36-15 on the season, while Concordia Irvine falls to 47-7.
After starting pitchers Robyn Wampler and Callie Nunes battled for the first two innings, the Tritons struck in the third. D2CCA All-West Region honoree Keila Bosinger blasted a home run over the left-field fence, bringing home Danica Kazakoffas well to make it a 2-0 contest in the Tritons’ favor. The homer was Bosinger’s team-best sixth of the year.
In the fifth, with Wampler still holding the Eagles quiet, reigning UC San Diego Athlete of the Week Maddy Lewis extended the Tritons’ lead. Lewis crushed a solo shot, her third of the season, to make it a 3-0 ballgame. Concordia Irvine then swapped pitchers following Lewis’ blast, putting in Erika Morris in relief.
The next inning, the Tritons piled on. Leading off the sixth, Isabel Lavrov drew a walk on four straight balls. Mikaila Reyes then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Lavrov to second. With back-to-back fielder’s choices with Kinley Kyro and Brittney Ross-Smithbatting, the bases were loaded with still just one out for Danielle Stedman. Stedman bunted, and Lavrov slid home, beating the throw to put UC San Diego up, 4-0.
With the bases still loaded, Lewis continued her impressive day. Sending a single up the middle, Kyro came around to score and the bases remained loaded.
Kazakoff did the same as Lewis, driving another single up the middle. An Eagle error helped the Tritons’ cause, and Stedman and pinch-runner Alyssa Wing both crossed home plate to bring the score to 7-0.
Later in the inning, with two outs, Sherriah Harrington increased the Triton lead even more. A Harrington single, combined with another Eagle miscue, cleared the bases to make it a commanding 9-0 lead.
As the Tritons provided more than enough support, Wampler cruised in the pitcher’s circle. Across six innings, the sophomore held the Eagles to only three hits and just one unearned run to earn the win. Wampler’s record now stands at 23-7 on the season.
Tomorrow, the teams will return to action with at noon, with a third game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. if necessary. The winner of the West Super Regional will then travel to Denver for the final stage of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship from May 23-27.