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Eau Claire Regional Web Site
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The St. Scholastica softball team fell to Luther College (Iowa) 3-0 in the opening game of the NCAA Regional Tournament at Gelein Field in Carson Park.
First team all-region pitcher Lexy Determan led the Norse inside the circle, not allowing a hit until the seventh inning. Her counterpart,
Darcy Roach (East Grand Forks, Minn./Sacred Heart HS), also pitched well for the Saints, allowing just six hits in six innings.
The Norse got on the board in the bottom of the second when with two outs Jenny Brons had a RBI single. In the third, Luther extended its lead to 2-0 on another two-out RBI by Abby Christian. It remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth when Kelsey Kittleson hit a RBI single up the middle.
The Saints started to get the bats going in the top of the seventh.
Theresa Tauer (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) got the first hit of the game with a line shot off the pitcher. With one out Tiffany Hudack hit a double over the right fielder's head to put runners at second and third. However, with the potential tying run at the plate, the Saints struck out twice to end the game.
Determan struck out 17 Saints to earn her 22nd victory of the season. The 17 strikeouts were the most this season by the Saints. Roach struck out in the loss.
The Saints are making their second NCAA Regional Tournament appearance with the first taking place in 2006. Luther is making its third regional appearance in a row and finished fifth at the national tournament a year ago.
The Saints will now play North Central College (Ill.) in an elimination game tomorrow at Gelein Field in Carson Park. The Cardinals fell to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 2-1 after the Eagles scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Game time for tomorrow's contest is 11 a.m.
