The University of California San Diego softball team advanced to the NCAA Division II West Super Regionals following two dramatic victories Saturday over California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rival Chico State.
At the Super Regionals, the Tritons, the region’s second-seed, will head to Irvine to face top-seeded Concordia Irvine at Eagles Field. The Tritons’ and Eagles’ games are set for noon on both Thursday and Friday. A game follows at 2:30 p.m. on Friday if necessary.
In the first CCAA game Saturday, UC San Diego topped Chico State, 5-4, and in game two, the Tritons defeated the Wildcats, 2-1.
After Chico State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the first game, UC San Diego answered in the second with five runs of their own. Chico State didn’t help their cause, hitting two Triton batters and committing an outfield error.
UCSD starting pitcher Robyn Wampler cruised during the first six innings, but ran into trouble as Chico State scored three more runs, but fell short. She also had six strikeouts. Alanna Phillips got the final two outs to earn the save.
The Tritons forced a second game with the initial victory. In the pitchers’ duel, the only scoring took place in the third inning.
Chico State scored first, but UC San Diego responded with two unearned runs, due to a Chico State throwing error. Wampler tossed a three-hitter in the second game. The sophomore notched her 22nd win of the season.
– Staff reports
