Cal erupts for win over Winston-Salem State
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
Natalya Smarra’s two-run home run in the fourth broke a scoreless tie and helped propel top-seeded California University to a 9-0 victory over eighth-seeded Winston-Salem State in the first round of the NCAA Division II Regional at Lilly Field Friday.
Cal improved to 36-5, including 15-0 at home. The Vulcans will play West Chester today at 10:30 a.m.
Winston-Salem State (28-12), champions of the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament, plays Bloomsburg at 1 p.m.
Cal scored four in the fifth and three in the sixth to invoke the run-rule win.
Cal sent eight batters to the plate in the fifth. Natalie Wideman scored on a passed ball, Breanna Morris hand an RBI single, and Erica Vallecorsa had a two-run single to make it 6-0.
In the sixth, Wideman scored on an error and Shelby Lia hit a two-run home run to make it 9-0. It was Lia’s ninth of the season and 36th of her career.
Morris went 3-for4 with an RBI, run scored and stolen base. Senior designated hitter Stephani Ellis, Lia and Wideman each had two hits and scored twice.
Sophomore Alex Sagl tossed her sixth-complete game shutout of the season to improve to 24-3 this year. She scattered seven hits and struck out seven. Sagl is the first pitcher with at least 24 victories in a season since Melissa Brooks went 24-3 record in 2000.