The UC San Diego softball team will join seven other top teams in Denver for the NCAA Division II softball finals with a 4-3 walk-off win over Concordia Irvine on Friday afternoon.
UC San Diego won the best two-of-three series at the West Super Regional in Irvine, to capture its first West Region title since 2012.
It was a back-and-forth affair between the two teams. After a run by the Eagles in the second inning, the Tritons responded in the fourth. With no outs, Sherriah Harrington reached first with a bunt single and moved to second on a fielder’s choice. Then, with a full count, Mikaila Reyes stroked a single to center field, and Harrington came around to score.
When the Eagles regained the lead in the fifth, UC San Diego answered once again in the bottom half of the inning.
Danielle Stedman led off with a bunt single, and a single to left by Maddy Lewis put runners on first and second for Danica Kazakoff.
Later in the inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Isabel Lavrov drew a four-pitch walk from Eagles starting pitcher Callie Nunes, sending Stedman home to tie the game, 2-2.
The Tritons trailed 3-2 heading into the seventh, then with the bases loaded, Harrington’s sacrifice fly to center field was deep enough to score Lewis to tie the game.
With the bases loaded and just one out, Mikaila Reyes battled to the eighth pitch of the at bat, when she drilled a single into left center to bring home Kazakoff for the winning run. The 4-3 walk-off victory secured the Tritons’ West Region title.
As one of the eight Super Regional champions, the Tritons will battle for the national title in Denver beginning Thursday.
– Staff reports
