Seven Teams Remain Unbeaten After Day One of Leadoff Classic
Brooke Mitchell tossed just the fifth no-hitter in NFCA Leadoff Classic history to help lead Louisiana to a perfect 2-0 record in the first day of the Leadoff Classic, being played at the South Commons Stadium and Complex in Columbus, Ga.
The Ragin’ Cajuns, who defeated DePaul and San Diego State by identical 3-0 scores, are joined in the unbeaten ranks by Alabama, Florida State, Creighton, Georgia, Michigan and Fresno State.
Mitchell’s no-hitter came in Louisiana’s first game of the day, against DePaul. She struck out 12 and walked two as the Cajuns put together three runs in the third inning for the game’s only scores.
Mitchell immediately followed the win over DePaul with a complete-game, four hit performance against San Diego State. Lacey Bertucci drove in two runs on a home run to cap off a three-run first inning.
Alabama won behind a pair of solid pitching performances from Stephanie VanBrakle and the combined performance of Jennifer Wright and Chrissy Owens. VanBrakle scattered four hits over a complete game, striking out 12 while facing just four over the minimum.
Wright pitched four innings in the win over FAU, but Owens picked up the win after the Tide scored on an Owl error in the bottom of the seventh,