Brooke Mitchell tossed just the fifth no-hitter in NFCA Leadoff Classic history to help lead Louisiana-Lafayette to a perfect 2-0 record in the first day of the Leadoff Classic, being played at the South Commons Stadium and Complex in Columbus, Ga.
The Ragin’ Cajuns, who defeated DePaul and San Diego State by identical 3-0 scores, are joined in the unbeaten ranks by Alabama, Florida State, Creighton, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma and Fresno State.
Mitchell’s no-hitter came in Louisiana’s first game of the day, against DePaul. She struck out 12 and walked two as the Cajuns put together three runs in the third inning for the game’s only scores.
Mitchell immediately followed the win over DePaul with a complete-game, four hit performance against San Diego State. Lacey Bertucci drove in two runs on a home run to cap off a three-run first inning.
Alabama won behind a pair of solid pitching performances from Stephanie VanBrakle and the combined performance of Jennifer Wright and Chrissy Owens. VanBrakle scattered four hits over a complete game, striking out 12 while facing just four over the minimum.
Wright pitched four innings in the win over FAU, but Owens picked up the win after the Tide scored on an Owl error in the bottom of the seventh,
Florida State, which entered the tournament with a 7-5 record, got a pair of wins to open pool play. Lehigh dropped its season opener against the Seminoles 5-1 as FSU got a two-hit performance from Lesley Palmer.
The 21st-ranked Tribe erupted for 13 hits in a 4-1 win over Michigan State. Palmer again had a 2-for-2 performance and a 3-for-3 day from Brittany Osmon. Casey Hunter tossed a three-hit complete game for Florida State.
Creighton improved to 5-2 on the season with wins over Florida Atlantic and Oregon. The Bluejays knocked off FAU 6-1 behind a two-hitter from Tammy Nielsen. Creighton had 14 hits, with six players recording two hits.
The Jays got another great pitching performance against Oregon. Abby Johnson scattered five hits over a complete game as Creighton knocked off Oregon 4-1.
Georgia improved to 8-6 on the season with a 4-1 win over Nebraska and a hard fought 4-3 win over Massachusetts. Michelle Green went seven innings against the Huskers, giving up just two hits to the powerful Nebraska lineup.
Jessica Gilmore delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Bulldogs to a 4-3 win over UMass. Green picked up her second win of the day, tossing the final 3 1/3 innings of scoreless softball.
Michigan won a pair of games to improve to 10-1 on the season. The Wolverines defeated South Carolina 9-3 and previously unbeaten Georgia Tech 4-1. Tiffany Hass went 3-for-4 and scored three runs against USC and Jennie Ritter scattered six hits and did not surrender an earned run in the Wolverines’ win over Tech.
Oklahoma won an 8-0, five inning game over Michigan State to open play at its tenth Leadoff Classic. The Sooners join UMass as the only schools to appear in every Leadoff Classic. OU closed out the day with another shutout, a 5-0 win over Lehigh.
Fresno State hit two home runs in a 6-0 win over Seton Hall. Christina Clark hit her second of the year and delivered two RBIs in a 3-for-4 performance. Jamie Southern blasted a home run and pitched a complete game three hitter in the victory over Seton Hall.
The Bulldogs struck for 11 hits in an 8-1 win over Texas State. Jamie Southern went 3-for-4 with a home run and Clark hit her second long ball as the well.
Pool play continues with games at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Bracket play begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
