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Softball Defeats CSU Monterey Bay, Remains Alive In NCAA Regional

Purdy becomes GNAC all-time home run leader with two-run shot in first inning.

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Softball Defeats CSU Monterey Bay, Remains Alive In NCAA RegionalSoftball Defeats CSU Monterey Bay, Remains Alive In NCAA Regional

Jane Purdy (, ) became the GNAC leader in career home runs with her 36th career long ball in the first inning, and took advantage of pitching wildness and fielding mistakes to defeat , 4-2, Thursday morning at the HSU Softball Field to avoid elimination from the NCAA Division II Softball West Regional.

In the bottom of the first inning, Katie Antich () was hit by a pitch. Purdy sent a shot to center field for her sixth home run of the season to give a 2-0 lead. Despite two walks, a fielding error, and Purdy being hit by a pitch in her next at-bat, the Redhawks were unable to accumulate any more runs or hits in the next three innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Purdy was again hit by a pitch, forcing the umpires to warn both teams about intentionally hitting batters with pitches. Lauren Berin (Lacey, ) hit a chopper to pitcher Angela Cabral, but Cabral’s throw to first base sailed high, allowing Purdy to come around and score and Berin to reach second base. Pinch hitter Kaha Weir () followed with a double that scored Berin to give the Redhawks a 4-0 lead.

(35-26) came alive in the top of the sixth inning, stringing together four straight singles to break the shutout. pitcher Erin Martin () was able to pitch out of the bases-loaded jam with a groundout, a popout, and a lineout. In the seventh inning, Martin gave up a leadoff home run to Homa Shafii and a single to Alixis Villarin, but she settled down and retired the next three batters to end the game and eliminate the Otters from the postseason tournament.

Martin earned her 25th victory of the season, allowing 11 hits but only two runs. The senior did not walk anybody while striking out two Otter hitters. Cabral took the loss despite giving up only two hits, as she also allowed three walks and hit three batters with pitches. Batting .318 coming into the tournament, has been held to four hits in 42 at-bats, a .095 batting average.

Seattle University (38-13) will face eighth seed Cal State San Bernardino Friday at 11:30 a.m. The Redhawks, who defeated the Coyotes earlier this season 4-1, will need to win to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.