Mavericks Blast Missouri Western, 11-0
May 11, 2006 | Softball
EMPORIA, Kan.-- UNO's offensive explosion against Missouri Western in the opening game of the NCAA Division II North Central Regional didn't come as a complete surprise to Maverick coach Jeanne Scarpello. The 11-0 victory was capped by Brooke Wagner's first career homer, a one-out grand slam, to end the game in the bottom of the fifth-inning by the eight-run rule.
The Mavericks will face Augustana Friday at 3 p.m. for the third time in less than a week. The Vikings defeated Southwest Minnesota State Thursday in nine innings.
"Our kids were fired up all week," Scarpello said. "We felt that we were going to come down here and make some noise."
Wagner and Shilo Jorgensen combined to drive in 10 runs Thursday to send UNO against Augustana, which defeated UNO 2-0 and 3-1 last weekend in winning the North Central Conference tournament.
The Mavericks split with the Griffons in two earlier meetings this year, losing 3-0 to pitcher Dana Wertz in the second game April 15 on just two hits. This time, Scarpello said, the Mavericks did a better job of hitting.
"We wanted to be selective and show some patience, wait for the right pitch," Scarpello said. "We got some walks early, missed some opportunities, but eventually we were able to capitalize."
UNO left two runners on in each of the first two innings before breaking loose to score four times on four hits in the third as Jorgensen and Wagner each smacked two-run doubles.
Jorgensen belted a two-run homer in a three-run fourth inning to chase Wertz in favor of Lindsey Predovich.
Wagner, a freshman shortstop from Albuquerque, N.M., put an exclamation mark on the win in the fifth with her first career homer. Katie Novotny and Leslie Svoboda opened the inning with singles and Lauren McArthur walked before Jorgensen reached on a fielder's choice in which Svoboda was called out for interference when she collided with the shortstop.
Svoboda went 2-for-2 and walked twice, raising her average on the season to .503.
"Our kids are confident right now, and that helps a lot, knowing that someone is going to come through," Scarpello said. "It also helps having Cheris (Kuster) shutting them down as well."
Kuster improved to 18-3 with her ninth shutout of the season. The school's all-time strikeout leader, she fanned seven and walked none.
Missouri Western.....000 00 -- 0 4 2
Nebraska-Omaha.......004 34 -- 11 9 0
1 out when winning run scored
WP-Cheris Kuster (18-3)
LP-Dana Wertz (15-11)
2b-MW, Christensen; UNO, Novotny, Jorgensen, Wagner
HR-UNO, Jorgensen (6), Wagner (1)
The Mavericks will face Augustana Friday at 3 p.m. for the third time in less than a week. The Vikings defeated Southwest Minnesota State Thursday in nine innings.
"Our kids were fired up all week," Scarpello said. "We felt that we were going to come down here and make some noise."
Wagner and Shilo Jorgensen combined to drive in 10 runs Thursday to send UNO against Augustana, which defeated UNO 2-0 and 3-1 last weekend in winning the North Central Conference tournament.
The Mavericks split with the Griffons in two earlier meetings this year, losing 3-0 to pitcher Dana Wertz in the second game April 15 on just two hits. This time, Scarpello said, the Mavericks did a better job of hitting.
"We wanted to be selective and show some patience, wait for the right pitch," Scarpello said. "We got some walks early, missed some opportunities, but eventually we were able to capitalize."
UNO left two runners on in each of the first two innings before breaking loose to score four times on four hits in the third as Jorgensen and Wagner each smacked two-run doubles.
Jorgensen belted a two-run homer in a three-run fourth inning to chase Wertz in favor of Lindsey Predovich.
Wagner, a freshman shortstop from Albuquerque, N.M., put an exclamation mark on the win in the fifth with her first career homer. Katie Novotny and Leslie Svoboda opened the inning with singles and Lauren McArthur walked before Jorgensen reached on a fielder's choice in which Svoboda was called out for interference when she collided with the shortstop.
Svoboda went 2-for-2 and walked twice, raising her average on the season to .503.
"Our kids are confident right now, and that helps a lot, knowing that someone is going to come through," Scarpello said. "It also helps having Cheris (Kuster) shutting them down as well."
Kuster improved to 18-3 with her ninth shutout of the season. The school's all-time strikeout leader, she fanned seven and walked none.
Missouri Western.....000 00 -- 0 4 2
Nebraska-Omaha.......004 34 -- 11 9 0
1 out when winning run scored
WP-Cheris Kuster (18-3)
LP-Dana Wertz (15-11)
2b-MW, Christensen; UNO, Novotny, Jorgensen, Wagner
HR-UNO, Jorgensen (6), Wagner (1)
Players Mentioned
IF
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P
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1B
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OF
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IF
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IF
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