Washington, Florida remain undefeated
Associated Press
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OKLAHOMA CITY Danielle Lawrie was disappointed with a start that didn't live up to her reputation as national player of the year. She wasn't about to settle for another lackluster performance.
Lawrie came back from what she called a "B-minus" outing by throwing a two-hit shutout against Arizona State as Washington moved within one victory of the Women's College World Series finals with a 1-0 extra-inning win last night.
"When you're at the World Series, that's just not acceptable," said Lawrie (39-7), who wasn't happy with a six-hitter the previous day in a 3-1 victory over Georgia. "We only get one opportunity to be here and kind of show what we're made of."
Morgan Stuart singled home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning with a soft line drive over shortstop Katelyn Boyd. Kimi Pohlman, who doubled with one out and moved up on Lawrie's flyout, scored easily.
Top-seeded Florida also claimed a 1-0 decision later last night against Michigan to move to the brink of the best-of-three championship round. A record crowd of 8,323 saw the games.
Arizona State (47-18) and Michigan, the 2005 champion, must win three in a row to get to the finals.
Megan Bush homered and Stacey Nelson (41-3) allowed only a ground single up the middle to Bree Evans to lead off the fourth inning for her second straight shutout to lead Florida.
Bush, 1-for-16 in last year's World Series, hit her second home run in as many days and 16th of the season. Her drive came off Michigan reliever Nikki Nemitz (28-6) in the top of the sixth inning.