2013 Softball World Series Tempe Super Regional Breakdown
Location: Tempe, Arizona
#5 Arizona State vs. #12 Kentucky
How They Advanced:
Host and #5 Arizona State opened the bidding to reach a Super Regional with Friday’s unorthodox no-hitter against San Jose State. Two free passes and an error saw SJ plate two first inning runs. Dallas Escobedo would not yield a hit all day, however, and ASU picked up the 5-2 win with help from home runs from Amber Freeman and Haley Steele. Georgia’s Kaylee Puailoa launched a two-out, three run shot in the first inning in a 9-3 opening game victory over San Diego State.
In a square-off of winners, Arizona State defeated Georgia 2-0 on Saturday as Freeman homered again and Escobedo gave up just one hit and struck out 11. Georgia survived to advance, defeating San Diego State 3-2 in a must-win game. Morgan Montemayor survived a shaky start and Paige Wilson homered to set up a Bulldog/Sun Devil rematch.
ASU’s Dallas Escobedo threw a three hitter to defeat Georgia 2-0. Aided by Hayley Steele and Amber Freeman back-to-back first inning doubles, the Sun Devils move on to host next week’s Super Regional.
Regionals - Lexington, Kentucky:
Kentucky’s #12 seed proved deserving in a 2-1 opening tilt win over C-USA’s Marshall. Nikki Sagermann’s walk-off single in the 8th inning was the difference, backing Kelsey Nunley’s complete game pitching. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech sent Notre Dame to the loser’s section, defeating the Irish 4-3. It took a three-run comeback and some help from Notre Dame for the Hokies to reach the winner’s bracket.
Kentucky would send the Hokies down on Saturday with a 6-2 win. Nunley was strong, giving up only one hit behind Krystal Smith’s home run support. The Wildcats got the rest of the day off while Virgina Tech won another close game over Marshall 3-2 in a 13 inning pitcher’s heavyweight bout. Amanda Ake rapped a double and scored the walk off win on Bkaye Smith’s single. Jasmin Harrell outlasted Andi Williamson for the win as both hurlers threw every inning.
On Sunday, Kentucky fell to Virginia Tech 2-0 in the first game on the strength of three hits and two walks in the fifth inning. Kelly Heinz held the Wildcats to three hits, forcing a winner-take-all second game.
With both teams’ backs to the wall, a pitcher’s duel broke out in Lexington. VT’s Jasmin Harrell scattered eight hits, but it was an unearned run for Kentucky in the fifth that decided the 1-0 Kentucky win. Lauren Cumbass, who singled in the run, started in the circle and shared the shutout with reliever Kelsey Nunley. The Wildcats will visit #5 Arizona State next week in Tempe.
Projection:
Arizona State has not only been to the World Series, they have won it all with many members of this year’s team. Kentucky has been knocking at the door of the elite teams in recent years, looking for entrance to the next level. This isn’t the year they get an answer. Arizona State sweeps the ‘Cats.
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