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May 22, 2010
Metro State Advances to NCAA Championships
Metro State Advances to NCAA Championships
Five-Run Ninth Sends Metro State to
First-Ever World Series
by Andy Schlichting, Metro
State Sports Information Director
Box
Score
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights
Postgame Interviews
DENVER, Colo. - Metro State scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to win 6-2 over Wayne State (Neb.) in extra innings at home on Saturday to advance to the school's first-ever College World Series. The fourth-ranked Roadrunners improved to 51-4 this season, while the No. 17 Wildcats ended their season at 43-14.
The NCAA Division II College Softball World Series will begin on Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo.
Both teams were scoreless through four innings, though both had chances early on. WSC left two runners on in the first inning and left the bases loaded in the second. Metro State left two on in the second and a single runner in the first, third and fourth innings.
Lauren Hainlen led off the fifth with a double over the left fielder's head. After a hit batter and a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, Tara Mickelson ripped a line drive through the left side, scoring pinch runner Jesse Minch for the game's first run. Jennessa Tesone was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Wildcat righthander Katie Goetzinger got two of her 12 strikeouts to end the inning.
Sam Earleywine led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk and later scored on a two-out single to center by pinch hitter Amber Baird to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the seventh or the eighth innings.
Hainlen popped out to lead off the ninth, but Amber Roundtree was hit by a pitch and scored one batter later on Sarah Rusch's double into the left-center gap, giving Metro State a 2-1 lead. Tara Mickelson followed with a home run to center field after fouling off four pitches in her at bat, putting the Roadrunners in front 4-1. Her blast gave her sole possession of the NCAA Division II home run lead with her 23rd of the season. It also broke her own single season Metro State record. Mickelson hit 22 last season.
After Tesone was thrown out on a sliding backhanded stop by the third baseman on a ball Tesone ripped down the line, Molly Clark walked and Aubree Maul then drove in Clark with her second double of the game. Kellie Nishikida singled in Maul with a line drive over the shortstop's head for a 6-1 lead.
Metro State starter Christie Robinson got a pop out to second on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth. But Amy Sandstrom, Earleywine and Jennifer Radley all singled in the inning as WSC pushed one across and ended the game with the bases loaded when Robinson got Hannah Engelkamp to fly out to right.
Robinson threw all nine innings to improve to 28-2 this season.
Goetzinger threw all nine innings for the Wildcats, allowing season-highs of nine hits and six runs. Her previous high of runs allowed was four this season. She also struck out 12 Roadrunners, the most any Metro State opponent has recorded this season. Goetzinger has twice topped that total this season, fanning 16 against Northern State on April 18 and 14 on May 2 against St. Cloud State. She also struck out 12 against the University of Mary on May 7.
Metro State will take a 10-game winning streak into the World Series, including five straight in the NCAA Tournament.
Photo Gallery
Video Highlights
Postgame Interviews
DENVER, Colo. - Metro State scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to win 6-2 over Wayne State (Neb.) in extra innings at home on Saturday to advance to the school's first-ever College World Series. The fourth-ranked Roadrunners improved to 51-4 this season, while the No. 17 Wildcats ended their season at 43-14.
The NCAA Division II College Softball World Series will begin on Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo.
Both teams were scoreless through four innings, though both had chances early on. WSC left two runners on in the first inning and left the bases loaded in the second. Metro State left two on in the second and a single runner in the first, third and fourth innings.
Lauren Hainlen led off the fifth with a double over the left fielder's head. After a hit batter and a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, Tara Mickelson ripped a line drive through the left side, scoring pinch runner Jesse Minch for the game's first run. Jennessa Tesone was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Wildcat righthander Katie Goetzinger got two of her 12 strikeouts to end the inning.
Sam Earleywine led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk and later scored on a two-out single to center by pinch hitter Amber Baird to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the seventh or the eighth innings.
Hainlen popped out to lead off the ninth, but Amber Roundtree was hit by a pitch and scored one batter later on Sarah Rusch's double into the left-center gap, giving Metro State a 2-1 lead. Tara Mickelson followed with a home run to center field after fouling off four pitches in her at bat, putting the Roadrunners in front 4-1. Her blast gave her sole possession of the NCAA Division II home run lead with her 23rd of the season. It also broke her own single season Metro State record. Mickelson hit 22 last season.
After Tesone was thrown out on a sliding backhanded stop by the third baseman on a ball Tesone ripped down the line, Molly Clark walked and Aubree Maul then drove in Clark with her second double of the game. Kellie Nishikida singled in Maul with a line drive over the shortstop's head for a 6-1 lead.
Metro State starter Christie Robinson got a pop out to second on the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth. But Amy Sandstrom, Earleywine and Jennifer Radley all singled in the inning as WSC pushed one across and ended the game with the bases loaded when Robinson got Hannah Engelkamp to fly out to right.
Robinson threw all nine innings to improve to 28-2 this season.
Goetzinger threw all nine innings for the Wildcats, allowing season-highs of nine hits and six runs. Her previous high of runs allowed was four this season. She also struck out 12 Roadrunners, the most any Metro State opponent has recorded this season. Goetzinger has twice topped that total this season, fanning 16 against Northern State on April 18 and 14 on May 2 against St. Cloud State. She also struck out 12 against the University of Mary on May 7.
Metro State will take a 10-game winning streak into the World Series, including five straight in the NCAA Tournament.
