South Commmons Stadium and Complex
Columbus, Georgia
February 23-25, 2001
Day One Notes
Field 5 A.K.A. "The Launching Pad": Field 5 at South Commons Stadium and Complex was seemingly the site of an NFCA Leadoff Classic Home Run Derby on day one. Ten home runs were hit in the four games on Field 5, with at least one home run hit in each game. Stanford hit six of the home runs, followed by LSU with two, while Illinois-Chicago and Seton Hall had one round-tripper apiece.
Cardinal Make Most Of Hits: Stanford finished with seven hits in its two games Friday -- six were home runs. The Cardinal hit four solo home runs in its 4-0 win over Illinois-Chicago, then added two more solo shots in a 2-0 victory over LSU. Jessica Mendoza had two home runs in the opener and added another homer in the nightcap. Sarah Beeson homered in each game, while Cassi Brangham homered in the first game.
"Keen" Day for Lobos' Keene: New Mexico right fielder Krissy Keene has been a major spark behind the Lobos’ 2-0 start at the Leadoff Classic. Keene went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer and five RBI in New Mexico’s 13-7 win over Michigan State. Against Washington, Keene's RBI-single in the bottom of the fourth tied the game 2-2 as the Lobos defeated the defending tournament champions 3-2.
Sun Devils, Tide in Thrilling Playoff Rematch: In a rematch of an NCAA regional championship from last year, Alabama came from behind twice to defeat Arizona State 7-6. After Shiloh Talanoa’s two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth gave the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead, Kelly Kretschman’s two-out, two-run single in the top of the fifth sparked a 3-run inning and tied the game 3-3. ASU added a run in the bottom of the fifth, but the Crimson Tide stormed back in the top of the seventh. After an error led to the tying run, Ginger Jones smacked a three-run homer to give Alabama a 7-4 lead. The Sun Devils stayed in the game as Erica Beach hit a two-run shot with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to pull Arizona State within one, but a line out to center ended the game.
Last Year's Leadoff Classic Finalists Suffer Losses: Both Washington and Fresno State went into last year’s Leadoff Classic championship game unbeaten, as the Huskies prevailed 1-0. This year is a different story as both teams are 1-1 after day one. Washington suffered its first Leadoff Classic loss since 1999 as the Huskies fell to New Mexico 3-2. Fresno State lost to Michigan 6-1 as the Wolverines scored all of their runs in the third inning.
Big Innings on Day One: Georgia scored all eight of its runs in the fifth inning to rally from a 4-0 deficit and defeat Michigan 8-5. Nebraska put up an eight-spot in the bottom of the sixth after falling behind 3-0 to defeat Long Island 8-3. Michigan scored all six of its runs in the third inning in a 6-1 win over Fresno State. Michigan State used a six-run fifth inning to cut a 9-1 deficit to 9-7 before falling to New Mexico 13-7.
Day One Stars
Tia Bollinger, Washington: Took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and finished with a one-hit shutout against Southern Mississippi.
Jessica Mendoza, Stanford: Went 3-for-5 with three home runs, two coming against Illinois-Chicago.
Krissy Keene, New Mexico: Went 4-for-6 on the day with a home run and six runs batted in on the day. Five RBI came against Michigan State.
Jennifer Stewart, Oklahoma: Tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out seven against Oregon State.
Ginger Jones, Alabama: Broke 4-4 tie with three-run homer in the top of the seventh against Arizona State.
Britni Sneed, LSU: Recorded 13 strikeouts against Stanford.
Dana Sorensen, Stanford: Recorded 12 strikeouts and took a perfect game into the sixth inning against LSU.
Kristen Bell, Georgia: Hit bases-loaded triple in eight-run inning vs. Michigan.
Melissa Taylor, Michigan: Went 4-for-7 in two games.
Jocelyn Forest, California: Pitched a two-hit shutout with one walk and eight strikeouts against DePaul.
Lindsay Chouinard, DePaul: Pitched a two-hitter against California.
Kim Ogee, Nebraska: Had two hits in one inning vs. Long Island.
Monica Hoffman, Oregon State: Pitched a four-hitter vs. Oklahoma.
