May 18, 2012
LOS ANGELES -
Senior Bailey Micetich (Woodland, Calif.) tossed a complete game shutout to lift the San Diego State softball team to a 1-0 win over No. 20/20 Florida State Friday in the first game of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. The Aztecs (31-22) will now play Hofstra, which upset No. 15/14 UCLA, 7-2, at 1 p.m. PT Saturday in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination regional.
SDSU won the opening game for just the second time in its six trips to the NCAA tournament in the new format (four teams, double-elimination). The Aztecs are 11-14 all-time in the NCAA tournament, 3-5 in opening games and 7-6 in the tournament when played in Los Angeles.
Micetich (16-7) struck out seven and walked one over seven innings. The right-hander allowed just four hits, including three infield singles. It was her fifth solo shutout of the season and 16th of her career. Micetich is now 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA in seven NCAA tournament appearances.
San Diego State got its run in the top of the second inning thanks to a pair of hits and a crucial Seminole (46-15) error. Senior Justeen Maeva (San Diego/Mira Mesa HS) led off with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a single by redshirt sophomore Patrice Jackson (Kansas City, Mo.). After a strikeout and a popout, sophomore Katie Mathis (Grass Valley, Calif.) hit a ball to FSU third baseman Briana Hamilton. Hamilton's throw to first baseman Kelly Hensley, however, dropped in the dirt, which allowed Maeva to score from third base.
Florida State's best chance to tie it came in the third inning when Morgan Bullock led off with a single and stole second with one out. Shayla Jackson then singled deep in the hole toward Aztec sophomore shortstop Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif.). Miles, however, was able to dive and stop the ball, keeping Bullock from scoring. Micetich then got Celeste Gomez and Courtney Senas to ground out, ending the threat.
Maeva led the offense with two doubles, while freshman Kayla Jordan (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) had a single and a double. Jackson added SDSU's other hit, while Miles reached via walk in the sixth inning.
NOTES: LF Kayla Jordan extended her hitting streak to 10 games and her reaches base safely streak to 18 contests ... She had her 13th multi-hit game of the season ... 1B Justeen Maeva had her 16th multi-hit game of the season (second most on the team) ... RF Patrice Jackson had a hit for the sixth straight game ... RHP Bailey Micetich improved to 16-7 on the season, the fifth-best winning percentage (.696) in program history ... She is now 57-31 all-time (.648), which moves her into third place on the career charts ... San Diego State improved to 8-8 in one-run games, 24-9 when scoring first, 24-5 when leading after five innings and 24-3 when outhitting its opponent.
Game 1: San Diego State 1, No. 20/20 Florida State 0
San Diego State (31-22) 010 000 0 -- 1 5 0
Florida State (46-15) 000 000 0 -- 0 4 1
Micetich and Kr. May; Perry and Gomez
W - Micetich, 16-7; L - Perry, 21-6
2012 NCAA Division I Softball Championship
Regionals - Double-Elimination
Easton Stadium - Los Angeles, Calif.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Game 1: San Diego State 1, No. 20/20 Florida State 0
Game 2: Hofstra 7, No. 15/14 UCLA 2
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Game 3, 1 p.m. PT: San Diego State vs. Hofstra
Game 4, 3:30 p.m. PT: No. 20/20 Florida State vs. No. 15/14 UCLA
Game 5, 6 p.m. PT: Loser of Game 3 and Winner of Game 4
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Game 6, Noon PT: Winner of Game 3 and Game 5
*Game 7, 2:30 p.m. PT: *If necessary
Postgame Quotes
SDSU Head Coach Kathy Van Wyk
Opening Statement:
"It was fantastic game and could have gone either direction. Congratulations to Florida State because we were very fortunate to get out of that game alive. (It was a) heck of a battle. Bailey (Micetich) was just outstanding, four hits, three of them infield singles. You don't do it much better than that. It was nice way to start and I'm glad we got through it all."
On if one run was enough:
"For me, I was on the edge of my seat, because that's kind of the way we've played all year long. We've been able to battle through some things, but we've also had some games where we've sat on much bigger leads and ended up losing them. I don't like us sitting on a lead, I'd rather us score 10 or 12 runs right away and make it easier."
On winning the first game in the tournament:
"It's huge. You can get rid of the jitters right away and get that win under your belt. You can move forward and not be worried about things. You can just relax and play ball and that's what we need to keep doing."
SDSU Senior Pitcher Bailey Micetich
On winning the first game in the tournament:
"Coming in and getting the win in your first game of the tournament is always what we strive to do."
On if one run was enough:
"(I was) definitely on the edge of my seat the whole game. Like (Coach Van Wyk said), we've had big leads and I've given up runs in some crucial situations. I was just trying to stay relaxed and throw strikes."
SDSU Senior First Baseman Justeen Maeva
On if playing in the tournament is different than a regular season game:
"I think it is a lot different. We have a lot more energy. I was really excited. I thought I was going to be more nervous, but being my senior year, I don't want this to be our last weekend. We have a lot more work to do."