STANFORD, Calif. - After a roller coaster affair last night against 8th ranked Stanford, Saint Mary's would come up short and fall to BigWest member Cal State Fullerton in the elimination game of the NCAA regional, officially ending their 2024 season. The Gaels had tremendous support from traveling fans and family this weekend and were able to put together a season for the history books which included matching the single-season program record for wins (30), three WCC conference award winners, a program record for all-conference selections (9) and making just their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
After finishing the Stanford game the night prior, freshman right hander
Mia Nishikawa would make her second appearance of the regional and get the start against the Titans. Nishikawa was hammering the strike zone early but got some unfortunate luck with a pair of bloop hits that scored the first run of the game. The next batter would walk to load the bases and then an infield hit on a high chopper to first would move everyone up a base and give Fullerton a 2-0 lead. The Titans would tack on two more with a sac fly and then a two out single to center to put up a four spot in the first inning.
Fullerton would get another clutch two out RBI single in the second and then Nishikawa would get forced from the game in the third with a one out homer to left field just over the foul pole, giving the Titans a convincing 6-0 lead.
Avrey Wolverton would replace her and get a pair of ground outs to end the third.
Alex Cutonilli would threaten with a one out double in the fourth but the Titans starter was dialed in all afternoon, getting the next batter to fly out and striking out the next hitter on three pitches to end the threat.
Like always, the Gaels showed no quit and got on the board in the seventh inning with a booming triple off the right field wall from sophomore
Hannah Ferguson. She would plate
Camille Lara for the team's lone run of the game. Fullerton would strikeout the next batter to seal the 6-1 win and advance them to the second elimination game of the day and a rematch with Mississippi State.
Congratulations to the Saint Mary's softball team on a terrific 2024 campaign and all of the amazing seniors who left their mark on the program this year. Final season stats can be found
HERE and you can follow the rest of the tournament action at
ncaa.org.
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