After using the late innings to earn wins in their first two NCAA regional games, the Sonoma State softball team exploded for an 11-3, 5-inning win over Montana State Billings on Sunday afternoon in Seaside, Calif. to clinch their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II Super Regionals.
The Seawolves will now travel to St. George, Utah to take on Dixie State in the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Div. II Softball Championship as one of the final 16 teams remaining.
The Seawolves earn their first NCAA trip to the Super Regionals after being eliminated at the regional level in eight of the last nine seasons. The win boosts the Seawolves' record to 42-19 on the year, one win shy of the school record of 43 set in 2010. Next game is against Dixie State in St. George, Utah on May 15, time to be announced.
Seawolves Top Montana State Billings in 12 Innings
In a softball game clearly tagged for "instant classic" status, Sonoma State used an Aubrie Tolliver single with the bases loaded to stun Montana State Billings 5-4 in 12 innings on Saturday afternoon at the NCAA West Regional in Seaside. While Ancia Purdy hit her first career home run and Amanda Llerena punched out a career-high 15 batters, it was Tolliver who again played the hero, lining a single through the left side to score Keeley Ray and send the Seawolves into Sunday's championship game.
Grand Slams, Unusual Substitution Play Part in Win Against Humboldt State
A grand slam in the bottom of the second put Humboldt State up 4-1, but Aubrie Tolliver launched a go-ahead grand slam that gave Sonoma State a 5-4 lead. Tolliver was replaced by Carlie Daniel just prior to her at bat in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded, but Daniel fouled a pitch off of herself and was unable to stay in the game. Tolliver came back in to finish the at-bat and give Sonoma State the eventual victory in the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Division II Softball Championship on May 1.