COLLEGE SOFTBALL : Errors Put Arizona in Winner’s Circle

Cal State Fullerton softball Coach Judi Garman knew the championship game of the Pony Louisville Slugger tournament against Arizona wasn’t going to be a pitcher’s duel.

The Titans lost a 10-6 decision in the Arizona tournament earlier this season, and the teams combined for 41 runs in four games last season.

But what she didn’t expect was three Titan errors, leading to three Wildcat runs in Arizona’s 7-6, nine-inning victory Sunday at Cal State Fullerton.

The Titans were two outs away from knocking off Arizona, ranked No. 1 in the nation by USA Today. But Wildcat junior third baseman Krista Gomez hit her first career home run over the right-field fence in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score, 6-6.

Arizona (36-1) took advantage of a throwing error by freshman shortstop Julie Williams in the ninth inning to score the winning run. With two outs in the ninth, Brandi Shriver singled and scored when Williams threw wildly to second on a single by Gomez.

“This was tough tournament,” Garman said. “I am just delighted we were in position to win it.”

The Titans (18-7) had a chance to win the game in the seventh, but left fielder Tracie Noggle flied out to right with the bases loaded.

Williams hit a two-run homer to cap a three-run fifth inning that put the Titans ahead, 6-5.

Arizona starter Carrie Dolan (19-0) gave up four earned runs and 10 hits. Fullerton’s Brandi Isgar (11-2) gave up five earned runs and nine hits.

“I was real pleased with Brandi’s pitching,” Garman said. “To have a freshman come into this tournament and face a team that averages 10 to 12 runs a game . . . she just did awesome.”

In the semifinals, Shannon Dolan hit a run-scoring double in the fourth inning to lead the Titans to a 1-0 victory over Southwestern Louisiana, last year’s tournament champion.

Former Titan Cheryl Longeway (13-3) gave up one run and seven hits. Jennifer Mortensen and Isgar combined for the five-hit shutout.