Thursday, May 8, 2014

SEASIDE, Calif. – Western Oregon managed just three hits off Cal State Monterey Bay pitcher Cori Reinhardt in losing 3-1 to the Otters in their opening game of the NCAA West Regionals at Otter Sports Complex Thursday.

The Wolves got a leadoff double by Melanie Pfeiffer to start the game.  Pfeiffer then advanced to third on a wild pitch, but later was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice.

The Wolves then got a run on an error.  WOU got its final two hits – singles by Ashlie Gardner and Pfeiffer – in the second, but were no-hit the remainder of the way as Reinhardt fanned seven while walking four as she improved to 20-6 on the season.

The Otters (46-9), who are ranked third in the latest NFCA poll,  took the lead in the fourth scoring on a single by Madison Casto and on a sacrifice fly by Nicole Pires before adding an insurance run in the sixth as leadoff hitter Courtney Varela tripled and scored on a two-out wild pitch.

WOU ace Kelli Demianew allowed just four hits – two by Casto – in taking the loss.  WOU's Amanda Evola went 0-for-3 in the contest, snapping her 13-game hitting streak.

Western Oregon will play a loser-out game Friday at 1:30 p.m. against Sonoma State, which lost 10-4 to Cal Baptist in the regional's opening game.

Cal Baptist and CSUMB will play in a winner’s bracket contest at 11 a.m.  The loser of that game will play the winner of the WOU-Sonoma State game Friday at 4 p.m.