NCAA Women's College World Series
Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Weather: Mostly sunny, upper 70s
Friday's schedule/results (All times Central):
Game 5 - Arizona 2 vs. Washington 1
Game 6 - 7 p.m. - winner game 3 vs. winner game 7Saturday's schedule (All times Central):
Game 7 - 11 a.m. - Alabama vs. Oklahoma
Game 8 - 3 p.m. - Louisiana vs. UCLA
Game 9 - 6 p.m. - winner game 7 vs. loser game 6
Game 10 - 8:30 p.m. - winner game 8 vs. Washington
Game 5: Washington 1, Arizona 2 -- FINAL
Arizona (56-5) 010 000 0 -- 2-6-0
Washington (47-15-1) 000 100 0 -- 1-4-3
Tia Bollinger, Ashley Boek (6) (Washington) and Alicia Hallowell (Arizona)
Winning Pitcher: Alicia Hallowell (40-3)
Losing Pitcher: Ashley Boek (18-5)
Arizona took an early lead over Washington in the top of the second following a leadoff walk from Mackenzie Vandergeest, a sac bunt from Wendy Allen and a double to centerfield from Jackie Coburn. Washington tied it up in the fourth with a solo round tripper from Kristen Rivera. Both teams would leave several runners on base through the sixth. Arizona looked as if it may take the lead in the top of the sixth when leadoff batter Courtney Fossatti hit a leadoff single to centerfield. Lovie Jung singled over the second baseman's head and Washington decided to bring in a fresh pitcher. Ashley Boek shut down Arizona's final two batters with a strike out and a ground out. Arizona would intentionally walk Kristen Rivera to get to Kathy Fiske who grounded out to second. Arizona would score the winning run in the seventh when Lisha Ribella reached second on an error and Autumn Champion slapped to third and was safe at first following a bad throw. It also appeared that Champion missed the bag, but Washington did not appeal.
Arizona will play the winner of game 9 at noon on Sunday. Washington will play the winner of game 8 at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHAT THEY SAID
"I knew it would be a heavy weight fight. Washington swings the bat well. I knew the key would be (Alicia) quieting the middle of the lineup. My hats are off to (Arizona). You can't always rely on the bats. When you have speed little things can happen like they did. I feel like we stole one and we'll take it." ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CHAMPION MISSING THE BAG AT FIRST: "I was sweating bullets waiting for the next pitch."
"I have total confidence in the offense. They know they can get the job done. I wasn't as nervous as yesterday. I knew it was a big game and I knew I had to be ready to go. I feel like I came out a little stronger this time."
"We earned a day off tomorrow. We'll come out Sunday and work hard. The offense definitely has a lot of different heroes."
"I know they know I'm fast. It happens a lot with slappers (players rush the throw to first). I do remember touching the bag. I'm almost 100 percent sure I touched it."
"Well, it was an exciting game for the fans. At this point in the season, you can't beat yourself and that's what we did today. It was a hard fought game today."
"If we would have made her go into our zone, we would have hit better."
Go to NCAA Championships for the complete Women's College World Series schedule, including television coverage.
