Regional highlights from Saturday
Salt Lake City Regional
Utah became the first team to punch its ticket for the Supers on Saturday with a 14-0 drubbing of the BYU Cougars. The Utes swept the Regional and outscored their opponents 27-2 in three games. Hannah Flippen became the Utah hit queen in the sixth inning. Her 261st career hit passed Cyndee Bennett on the all-time list.
Norman Regional
The Bison of NDSU ended No. 10-seed Oklahoma’s 16-game winning streak in Regional play. It was the first time OU lost in the opening game of a Regional since falling to NDSU in the 2009 Norman Regional. The game actually started Friday night and was postponed due to weather in the first inning. The official delay was 21 hours and eight minutes.
Tucson Regional
Katiyana Mauga launched a solo shot to centerfield in the third inning against South Carolina to become the Pac-12’s all-time home runs leader (91). Danielle O’Toole pitched a one-hit shutout to secure a spot in the Regional finals on Sunday.
Saint Francis defeated New Mexico State in the loser’s bracket game on Saturday 8-4. The victory was the first NCAA Tournament win for the school in any sport.
Tuscaloosa Regional
If you thought this Regional couldn’t get any more controversial, it did. Alabama and Minnesota were tied, 0-0, in the ninth inning with Alabama loaded the bases. With a 3-1 count at the plate, Reagan Dykes walked to plate the winning run. Graham Hayes put it best “All that is certain is that Saturday never should have happened — no matter how good a game it was.”
Waco Regional
Lindsey Cargill lead off the bottom of the first against James Madison with a single up the middle for 248th career hit. She passed Naomi Fitzgerald to set Baylor’s career hits record.
Seattle Regional
Michigan’s Megan Betsa tossed a 13-strikeout no-hitter against Fresno State late Saturday night. The 4-0 win gives the Wolverines another day of action in the NCAA Tournament. Betsa was just two walks shy of a perfect game.
