USIU Sweeps to WCAC Softball Title

Karen Winkler pitched a five-hitter in the first game and Terry Esquivel a two-hitter in the second Saturday as United States International University swept a West Coast Athletic Conference women’s softball doubleheader from the University of San Diego at USIU.

The two victories gave USIU (9-1, 22-15-1) its second straight WCAC regular-season championship. However, the WCAC champion does not receive an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament, and USIU is hoping for an at-large bid.

USIU won the first game, 9-1, as Adrienne Mason had three hits and drove in two runs. In the second game, Esquivel struck out 10 as the Gulls won, 6-0. It was Esquivel’s eighth shutout of the season.

USD finished 2-8 and 20-19.