HOUSTON, Texas — HOUSTON, Texas — More unbelievable then a perfect game, far better than a no-hitter, and bordering on unworldly, Lizzy Prescott's performance on Friday at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships was truly one for the record book.
Humboldt State's All-American pitcher went the distance-plus on Friday, striking out an NCAA Championships record 21 hitters, walking none and allowing only one hit in the Lumberjacks 1-0 win over Lock Haven University. The victory sends the Jacks into Saturday's championship game, a winner-take all affair against the winner of the morning's Emporia State vs. St. Edward's game.
Lock Haven's Kristen Erb was nearly up to the task, also going the extended distance of four hours and two minutes in pitching a seven-hitter and striking out 12 while walking only one. Her defense finally let her down in the 17th inning when HSU's Caitlin Klug and Marissa Slattery both reached base on errors before Natalie Galletly singled up the middle to drive in Klug with the winning run.
In all, Erb and Prescott threw 422 total pitches, 202 by the Eagles' hurler and 220 by the Jacks' star. Erb, who led her team to a national title two years ago and a runnerup spot last season, saw her season end with a 43-8 record, two of the defeats coming against Prescott and the Jacks this week.
"You feel bad to send them home but they're a great team," Prescott said. "They had great defense and I respect that pitcher so much."
Prescott's defense played a major role in her success as well, none more than Chrissy Motzny, who saved the game in the ninth inning. Motzny ranged as far as the field would allow, backing to the 220-foot center field fence, leaping and catching Sarah Norris' would-be home run before falling through the breakaway fence.
"Right off the bat I knew it would be right at the fence and not over, so I started running as fast as I could," Motzny said. "I checked the fence because the ball was hit high and then turned to find the ball and just went for it. I had to or else it would have been the game."
Earlier in the game, Nikki Ketteringham also made an impressive play, racing into the left-center game tp grab Erb's line drive that also had home run potential. Another key play came when the Eagles managed a rare baserunner in the 13th inning, only to have pinch runner Nancy O'Connor thrown out trying to steal second, catcher Marissa Slattery to shortstop Geneva Perrine.
"I'm kind of speechless right now," HSU head coach Frank Cheek said. "We threw a runner out stealing. Lizzy Prescott threw a really good game, and the catches that saved the home runs by Ketteringham and Motzny were outstanding."
Galletly, who had struggled against Erb, found her confidence in time for the 17th-inning heroics. After Klug reached on the shortstop's error and Slattery was safe on a bobbled ball at first base, Galletly drove a pitch up the middle that easly scored Klug from second.
"I had told Galletly to bunt, and she said, 'coach I can hit her', so I let her swing away and she got the base hit," Cheek said.
"I know personally for me it felt really good because I've been struggling against Erb," Galletly said. "She's a great pitcher. She was working me in and out and I never knew where the pitches would go. I was just waiting and hoping for a change-up and that's what I got and I just drove the ball."
Humboldt State 1, Lock Haven 0 (May 16, 2008 at Houston, Texas)
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Humboldt State...... 000 000 000 000 000 01 - 1 7 2 (56-18)
Lock Haven.......... 000 000 000 000 000 00 - 0 1 3 (49-8)
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Pitchers: Humboldt State - PRESCOTT,Lizzy. Lock Haven - Kristin Erb.
Win-PRESCOTT,Lizzy(47-11) Loss-Kristin Erb(43-8) T-4:02 A-589