just another first round win by a very very consistent program that is consistently seeded much lower than it should be.
Printable View
just another first round win by a very very consistent program that is consistently seeded much lower than it should be.
Solid win with eleven strikeouts for Kirchberg.Quote:
Originally Posted by miamicajun32
That has always aggravated me. How can they be ranked #15 in the NATION, yet be a #3 seed in a regional? They should have been a #2 seed. Not that it really matters whether they're a 2 or 3 seed because you still play the same opponent. It is just the lack of respect that is irritating. The Lady Cajun softball program has EARNED better than that.Quote:
Originally Posted by miamicajun32
Because the selection committee does not use the polls. The Lady Cajuns are a #3 seed because of the RPI.Quote:
Originally Posted by RaginFan2
I agree that they are worthy of a #2 seed. But it certainly matters whether you are a #2 or #3 seed. While softball is more regional w/respect to selections and pairings than baseball, the committee still attempts to balance the brackets somewhat. If you are a #3 seed, that means you are going to play a more difficult opponent (a #2 seed).Quote:
Originally Posted by RaginFan2
Brian
I guess what I meant was if the same 4 teams are in a regional, then 2 or 3 doesn't matter. Of course, I get your meaning that if the Lady Cajuns were seeded #2, NCSU probably would not have been the #3 seed. It is likely that in that event their opponent would not have been as tough as NCSU. So your point is well taken. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by GoneGolfin
Yes, but that assumes that teams are selected to a regional regardless of strength (at least the three teams other than the #1 seed) and then seeded afterward.Quote:
Originally Posted by RaginFan2
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by RaginFan2
Indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by RaginFan2
Good luck to the Lady Cajuns tomorrow!
Geaux Cajuns!
Brian
I know that it is a typo, but let's give Ashley Kirchberg her due. Cajuns win 2-0. Geaux Lady Cajuns!!!!!.~. ..O..Quote:
Originally Posted by miamicajun32
Actually, ESPN reported the wrong score. sorry about that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowley Cajun
<! Ashley Kirchberg tosses a two-hit shutout and tallies 11 strikeouts in leading No. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette to a 2-0 victory advancing the squad into Saturday's winner's bracket ->Quote:
<table bgcolor=#eaeaea> <td> <font color=#000000> <blockquote> <p align=justify>
BATON ROUGE – Friday afternoon at Tiger Park couldn’t have been better for the 15th-ranked Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns softball team.
A dominant pitching performance by Ashley Kirchberg and clutch extra base hits from Danyele Gomez and Holly Tankersley sparked a 2-0 victory over No. 23 North Carolina State in the squad’s NCAA Baton Rouge Regional opener.
The win moved the Ragin’ Cajuns (49-10) into a winner’s bracket final at 1 p.m., on Saturday against the winner of Friday night’s LSU-Princeton contest.
“It’s always important to get every win that you can, especially in a tournament where there is stiff competition” said co-head coach Stefni Lotief in regards to starting off the four-team tournament with a victory. “To win the first one says a lot because if you lose the first one it puts you in a bad position the way the tournament is set up.”
Kirchberg (25-1) fanned 11 Wolfpack hitters which included striking out the final five batters in succession to wrap up her first career NCAA Tournament victory. She carried a no-hitter into the third inning and held NCSU (49-20) to only two hits in posting her 13th complete game shutout of the season.
No. 15 Louisiana won its fourth straight NCAA Tournament opener and improved to 4-4 all-time at Tiger Park in the postseason event.
<center><p><a href="http://www.ragincajuns.com/softball/Stories/2006/softball051906vs.NCSU.htm" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
<center><span title=" SID Matt Hebert "><b>LOUISIANA SI</span>
<!--
As has been customary for the Ragin’ Cajuns all season long the second time through the lineup proved to be the difference maker. Abbie Sims kept UL hitters off balance through the first two innings, but adjustments were made and the changes started in the third inning.
Karli Hubbard led off the third inning slapping a single through a hole in the left side of the infield. Brittany Bryant got a great swing on the next at bat and drove a ball deep into center field that was caught on a spectacular play by Blair Harkey.
Gomez kept the pressure on Sims by being the second straight hitter to swing at a first pitch. She skied a ball into right center field that Harkey and Ashleigh Davis collided on and missed the ball. As a result Hubbard motored all the way around the bases to cross home plate with the winning run. Gomez wound up on third with her second triple of the season.
The Ragin’ Cajuns then turned to its defense in the fifth inning to keep hold of their lead.
N.C. State had two baserunners on board when Kirchberg issued two walks. Shanna Smith shoved a line drive single just by Lacey Bertucci at first base that rolled into right field.
UL right fielder Ashley Evans charged in on the roller and made a dynamite toss that soared to catcher Jessica Lemoine who promptly applied the tag on Lisa Nentwig who was attempting to score from second base.
It was a hit off one of the Cajuns’ postseason veterans that provided some insurance for Kirchberg heading in the final two innings.
Evans drew a one-out walk from Sims. Sophomore Holly Tankersley then lofted a ball into left field that Megan Dalthrop failed to get a good read on. As a result Tankersley strolled into second base with a standup double and Evans sped around the basepaths to score and give the Cajuns a 2-0 edge.
UL threatened to break open the game in the seventh inning getting its first two hitters on base via a walk issued by Sims. NCSU sent in Shaina Irvin who struck out the side to keep the ‘Pack within reach.
Kirchberg didn’t want to be outdone so she too fanned the side in the seventh inning to put the clamps on UL’s opening victory.
It was a fitting end to a brilliant pitching performance by the nation’s leader in winning percentage. Kirchberg settled in after a first inning in which she issued two walks. The Houston native retired seven in a row after a hit by pitch in the second inning. She did an excellent job of getting ahead of batters often times getting two strikes on a batter with her first two offerings.
“She was outstanding,” Lotief said. “I think that she was in control of the game and she found the strike zone and went from there.”
“I wasn’t nervous,” Kirchberg said in reference to her first start in a NCAA Tournament opener. “Normally I have to clam down before, but this time I felt good and I was warm. I just really felt good going into the game.”
Gomez’ triple was her 86th hit of the season moving her within one of the school record (87 set by Tiffany Clark in 1999). The RBI was her 66th of the season establishing a new career-high.
Kirchberg delivered her seventh double-digit strikeout performance of the season and lowered her season ERA to 1.68.
The Ragin’ Cajuns will continue their quest for their first-ever NCAA Super Regional berth on Saturday at 1 p.m., against the LSU-Princeton winner. All of the action will be carried LIVE on KPEL 105.1 FM in Lafayette. Internet streaming can be found at www.ragincajuns.com on the softball page via the LIVE RADIO link or via kpel1051news.com.
CAJUN CLIPPINGS: Friday’s game marked the beginning of the Cajuns’ 16th NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 17 years…UL improved to 33-23 all-time in NCAA Regional play…The Cajuns are now 14-9 under co-head coaches Stefni and Michael Lotief in NCAA Regional action…Friday was the Cajuns’ 27th game played without committing an error…Gomez has now hit safely in 47 of the Cajuns’ 59 games…Ashley Kirchberg won her 15th consecutive decision and upped her nation-best winning percentage to .962 (25-1)…UL held an opponent to two runs or less for the 43rd time this season and shutout an opponent for the 24th time…Brittany Bryant fielded perfectly through three chances on Friday – she has now played errorless softball through her past 46 chances dating back to April 19…Evans’ throw that gunned out Nentwig to end the fifth was her fourth outfield assist of the season.
-->
</td> </table>
Quote:
Originally Posted by miamicajun32
No biggie. As you, I'm just glad we're both on the winning side of the score.