Softball Blasts Washington For World Series Berth

May 20, 2001

Coach Gasso Audio Clip

NORMAN, Okla. - Fifth-ranked Oklahoma (49-7) almost made it look routine when it knocked out No. 12 Washington (40-23) to win the NCAA Region 5 titla and earn one of eight berths to the Women's College World Series. The Sooners scored early and played flawless defense to defeat the Huskies 10-2 in front of another OU Softball Complex record crowd of 1,432 fans.

"Our lineup produced from top to bottom," said OU h ead coach Patty Gasso. "Jennifer Stewart is a gamer and there was no better person pitching the final out of this tournament. We had some tremendous bunts as well. Although we're known for hitting the ball to the fence, our best hitters are also our best bunters."

Although the Huskies got 10 hits off Stewart (36-3), she struck out five and used her defense to leave 10 runners stranded on base. Washington scored its first run in the second when Courtney Jeffries singled through the left side to score Amanda Oleson from second base.

UW also left the bases loaded in the sixth when Stewart got her fifth crucial strike out and then forced Rita Roach to pop up to second baseman LaKisha Washington to get out of the inning with just a solo home run by Jaime Clark.

Oklahoma went after Washington early, scoring three runs on five hits to open up the game. Shortstop Kelli Braitsch took the second pitch down the left field line for a single and reached second on Christy Ring's base-hit bunt. That brought up Lisa Carey who hit a hard ball back down the left field line to score Braitsch.

OU's home run leader--Ashli Barrett--came up and surprised the UW defense with a bunt and beat out the throw to load the bases. With one out, Erin Evans singled up the middle to score Ring and Carey for the 3-0 lead.

The Huskies put two runners on in their half of the first and threatened to score. But Leah Gulla made a diving stop on Kim DePaul's hit and hustled up to get the runner going to third.

The rally continued in the second inning when Gulla led off with a hard chop single to short. Senior Jaime White pinch ran for the sophomore and reached second on LaKisha Washington's sac bunt. After White advanced to third on a passed ball, Braitsch drove her home with an RBI single back to second.

The Sooners loaded the bases in the fifth and put two more runs on the board. Carey had an infield single and went to second after Barrett walked. Stump filled the bags with a base-hit bunt, but Evans hit a ball to the shortstop and UW got the force at second as one run was plated.

A Mandy Fulton fielder's choice and Gulla walk put runners on all three bases and Washington got hit by a Bollinger pitch to score Evans.

The final four runs came in the seventh inning, where OU sent all nine batters to the plate. Gulla and Washington led off with back-to-back walks and both scored on a Braitsch single up the middle.

Senior Andrea Davis, who tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the final regular-season game, walked to the plate to a standing ovation and then ripped a ball up the middle for a pinch-hit single. Ring re-entered before Barrett recorded an infield single to load the bases again. Stump did the final damage with a two-RBI single to center.

Oklahoma placed five players on the All-Tournament team including Stewart, Gulla, Carey, Evans and Braitsch. Evans was named the most outstanding player after hitting .500 in the tournament with five RBIs and three stolen bases.

The Sooners were the third team to advance to the Women's College World Series with Iowa and LSU claiming the first two berths. Arizona, UCLA and Michigan also won their regionals and advanced to the eight-team championship that will begin in Oklahoma City on May 24 and end with the title game on May 28.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Blasts Washington For World Series Berth

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