Former Titan Longeway Pitches No-Hitter Against Michigan

Cheryl Longeway pitched a no-hitter Friday in her first Women’s College World Series appearance to pace Southwestern Louisiana’s 5-0 first-round victory over Michigan in front of 2,290 at Hall of Fame Stadium.

It was the third no-hitter of the season for Longeway (28-5), who transferred from Cal State Fullerton two years ago because she “wasn’t having any fun playing softball” with the Titans.

“Once you get through that first game, you breathe a little easier,” said Longeway, a Kennedy High graduate who was forced to sit out last season because Fullerton Coach Judi Garman would not release her.

Garman had no comment on why Longeway left other than, “She’s a very good pitcher.”

A few hours after Longeway’s heroics, Southwestern Louisiana was no-hit by UCLA’s Tanya Harding and sent to the losers’ bracket with a 3-0 loss.

Longeway, a junior right-hander who was 27-18 with the Titans, gave up nine hits against the second-seeded Bruins (48-6), but thought her no-hitter helped get her loose.

“Any time you can pitch a no-hitter, you feel that much more confident going against UCLA,” she said.

Longeway struck out eight and walked three Michigan batters, the most she has given up in a game this season.

The only way Longeway might face her old teammates at Fullerton is if both teams reach the final, which is unlikely considering the domination of Arizona and UCLA.

But Longeway doesn’t mind. She’s quite happy that she has moved on.

“I have no regrets, [about leaving Fullerton],” she said. “I had a good season this year and plus I had a lot of fun.”