Washington Walks Off On Nebraska, No. 2 Michigan

Sunday, February 28

Palm Springs, CA

9:00 AM

University of Washington

11-3

Nebraska

10-3

Nebraska

Washington

Photo by: Washington Athletics

February 29, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Washington Athletics

Site: Cathedral City, Calif. (Big League Dreams Complex)
Event: Mary Nutter Classic II
Scores: No. 9 Washington 6, Nebraska 5 (9); No. 9 Washington 6, No. 2 Michigan 5

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The No. 9-ranked University of Washington softball team earned a pair of emotional, walk-off wins on Sunday (Feb. 28) beating Nebraska, 6-5 in nine innings before defeating No. 2 Michigan, 6-5, on the final day of the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.

After giving up a 3-0 lead in the seventh inning to Nebraska, the Huskies came clawing back, tying the game in the bottom of the seventh, hitting a two-out home run and then eventually winning in the ninth off a walk-off single. Minutes after the win, the Huskies had to turn right back around to play No. 2 Michigan, winning again in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Husky offense came through with timely hits and clutch, discipline at-bats. Junior Ali Aguilar and senior Courtney Gano led the team with three hits in the twinbill, while sophomore's Kelly Burdick and Taylor Van Zee posted a pair of hits.

Freshman RHP Taran Alvelo (6-2) earned both wins, entering a tied game in the eighth against Nebraska before going the distance against Michigan, fanning four while allowing four earned run off of seven hits and two walks. Sophomore Madi Schreyer threw the first seven innings against Nebraska, allowing four earned runs off ten hits and no walks while striking out five.

After a scoreless opening three frames against Nebraska, Washington scored a run in each of the final six innings. The Huskies took the game's first lead in the bottom of the fourth ignited by junior Casey Stangel's leadoff single up the middle. Pinch runner Amirah Milloy then swiped both second and third base to set up senior Kimberlee Souza who delivered a perfectly executed squeeze-bunt to plate the game's first run.

Washington scored again in the fifth thanks to Aguilar's seventh RBI of the weekend. After Van Zee reached on a fielder's choice, Aguilar drove a double to left-center to score her and give Washington a 2-0 lead.

The Dawgs took a 3-0 advantage in the sixth after DePonte led off with a solo home run, but Nebraska used four hits to score four runs and take a 4-3 lead in the seventh. A trio of one-out singles loaded the bases and a ground out scored their first run. In the next at-bat, the Huskers drove a 1-2 count over the fence for a three-run home run to take the lead.

Down to its final out in the bottom of the seventh inning, senior leadership took over as Gano drove her second home run of the season to lock the game at 4-4.

With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, both teams exchanged runs in the eighth inning. Nebraska started the inning with a runner at second and after a single up the middle put runners on the corners, Washington made a pitching change, bringing in Alvelo with no outs. The freshman got the first batter swinging but a squeeze-bunt in the next at-bat gave the Huskers a 5-4 lead. With runners on first and third, Alvelo struck out the next batter and induced an infield pop-up for the final out.

Washington came clawing back in the home half of the inning. With senior Jennie McNeill placed at second to start the inning, DePonte's bunt advanced her to third. One out and walk later, Burdick's infield single to second plated McNeill and tied the game back up at 5-5.

The Husky offense rode the momentum of a quick three up, three down inning by the defense to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Alvelo struck out a pair of Huskers and induced a fly out to retire the side in order to set up the offense. With Burdick placed at second to start the inning, Van Zee hit a one-out single to put runners on the corners. Aguilar, the team leader in runs batted in, came through with a single up the middle to give Washington the 6-5 win in its first extra-inning game of the season.

After a whirlwind of emotions, the Huskies had to turn right back around to play No. 2 Michigan. As it's done all season, Washington took the game's first lead in the first inning after Van Zee delivered her first home run of the season.

Michigan tied the contest in the third, drawing a one-out walk and reaching on an error. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, the Wolverines hit an RBI single to lock the game at 1-1.

The tie was short lived as Washington used a two-out rally and Aguilar's sixth home run of the season to reclaim a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Braun and Van Zee both walked before Aguilar delivered the thee-run homer.

The Wolverines put up a three spot in the fourth to tie the game for the second time, 4-4. After leading off with a double and advancing to third off a ground out, Michigan drew a walk to put runners on the corners. A sac-fly scored the first run and in the next at-bat, a home run tied the game.

The Wolverines took its first lead of the game in the fifth. Michigan hit a lead-off single and two outs later, singled to put runners on the corners. In the next at bat and nine pitches later, an RBI single gave the visiting team a 5-4 lead.

The senior first baseman took over again to tie it back up in the bottom of the sixth. Ripping a leadoff double down the left field line, Gano then advanced to third off a ground out and after DePonte drew a walk, Gano scored off a passed ball.

Senior Dani Braun took four straight balls to lead off the seventh, forcing Michigan to make a pitching change. After Melhart drew a walk, Van Zee's bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. With just one out, Michigan walked Aguilar to load the bases for Gano whose sac-fly to center scored Braun and gave Washington the 6-5 win.

The Huskies play its first home games this weekend, hosting the Husky Classic. Dawgs will kick off play against Boise State on Friday (March 4) at 3:45 p.m. PST.