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Date Posted: 10:44:17 04/22/02 Mon
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Re: Softball splits with Titans
In reply to: Jon Ralston 's message, "Softball splits with Titans" on 10:10:39 04/21/02 Sun

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Originally Published Monday, April 22, 2002
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Dramatic run fuels Tigers

Pacific claims Big West conference lead with win

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

It was an appropriate way for it to end.

A series-deciding game between teams as well-tuned as University of the Pacific and Cal State Fullerton came down to a confrontation at home plate.

Pacific pinch runner Krystle Peterson fought her way through the block of Titans catcher Jenny Topping and tapped home plate in time to give the Tigers a thrilling 1-0 Big West Conference victory in eight innings Sunday at sun-soaked Simoni Field.

The 18th-ranked Tigers (36-13, 16-2 Big West) moved into first place after taking two of three from the seventh-ranked Titans (41-11, 13-2).

''(Topping) did a great job blocking the plate,'' said Peterson, who ran for pitcher Cindy Ball, who led off the eighth with a bouncing single into center field. ''I didn't even think. All that was going through my mind was touch the plate.''

Boni Kading put the dramatic play in motion with a line drive into the right-center gap. The Titans played the ball back to the infield, and as Peterson rounded third, Shawna Robinson delivered a perfect relay throw to Topping, who already was poised on the third-base side of home plate. Peterson slid into Topping, the ball popped loose for an instant, and plate umpire Cleveland McDonald emphatically signaled ''safe.''

''(Peterson) definitely was there before the ball, but it was one of the best plays I've seen,'' Cal State Fullerton coach Michelle Gromacki said. ''There was a collision, but that ball had to be on the money for (Topping) to catch it on her back. It was a beautiful play.''

Peterson said she made up her mind to try and score on contact.

''When I saw Boni hit it, I was running,'' Peterson said. ''Boss (Pacific coach Brian Kolze) would have had to pull me back.''

Kading hit the first pitch from Gina Oaks, who had a perfect game through seven innings, after making an adjustment at the plate and taking advice from freshman shortstop Michelle Anunciation.

''I heard Michelle say, 'Turn on it,' and I trusted her,'' Kading said. ''I normally block everything out, but I heard Michelle and I trusted it.

''(Oaks) was pitching me inside all day, and I was on top of the plate. So I scooted off the plate. I couldn't ask for anything else.''

The Tigers split a doubleheader with the Titans on Saturday, losing the first game 1-0 on a no-hitter by Jodie Cox, then rallying for a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.

Cindy Ball (22-9) was the hard-luck loser in the first game and the fortunate winner Sunday. Cal State Fullerton had runners at first and third with two outs in the first, but Ball struck out Cox. The Titans also threatened in the third, fourth and sixth, but Ball and the Tigers' defense fought them off each time.

''We had a lot more opportunities than they did,'' Gromacki said.

Meanwhile, Oaks was superb, just as Cox was Saturday. She retired the first 21 batters before Ball's bouncer. Estee Okumura, Saturday's hero in Game 2, popped out attempting to bunt, then Kading hit Oaks' first offering to the fence in right-center, and Peterson motored around the bases to end the entertaining series.

''Julie and Gina threw awesome games, and their hitters are very hard to pitch to,'' Ball said. ''We played with a lot of heart and as a team. We never laid down, and that's why we ended up with the win.''

Pacific will play a three-game series at Long Beach State on Saturday and Sunday, then a nonconference game May 5 at San Jose State. The Tigers will end the regular season at home with a three-game series against Cal State Northridge on May 10-11.

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

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