Fresno State Athletics
UCLA Defeats Michigan State 5-0 to Win NCAA Regional
5/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 18, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. - Keira Goerl allowed one hit over six shutout innings and Stephanie Ramos cracked a three-run home run as top-seeded UCLA cruised past Michigan State 5-0 to win the NCAA Softball Regional in Fresno, Calif.
Goerl was simply flawless in tournament, not allowing a run over the course of 24 innings. She gave up just eight hits in her four starts and was named the regional's most outstanding player.
As they did throughout their four games in Fresno, the Bruins (49-6) struck first and put the third-seeded Spartans behind the eight-ball by posting three runs in the first inning. Natasha Watley doubled to lead off the game and then stole third. After the next two hitters were retired, Claire Sua drew a walk to keep things alive, and Ramos responded by blasting a three-run homer to deep center for a 3-0 lead.
The Bruins nearly had another three-run shot just one inning later, but Sua's fly ball to deep center was caught on the warning track by centerfielder Sandy Lewis.
In the bottom of the third, UCLA tacked on two additional insurance runs. Ramos singled and moved to second after Emily Zaplatosch walked. After Toria Auelua laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, Monique Mejia followed with an RBI single to bring home Ramos to make it 4-0.
Zaplatosch went to third on the play and would come around to score on a Andrea Duran sacrifice fly, giving the Bruins a 5-0 edge.
Michigan State (40-19) never threatened UCLA offensively. The Spartans did not advance one player beyond first base the entire game.
