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Bats Get Shut Out, BYU Suffers First Loss
Christina Gwyn had one of her best outings yet as a Cougar, striking out eight and giving up only four hits.
Feb. 15, 2007 LAS VEGAS - BYU (5-1) came out on the losing end of a pitching duel that saw twenty-one of the game's first 26 batters retired, dropping its first game of the season 1-0 to Mississippi State (5-1). "If this were a boxing match, I think we'd be declared the winner," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We didn't win on the scoreboard, but I thought we outplayed them. They're a good team, so there's nothing to hang our heads about." Christina Gwyn had one of her best outings yet as a Cougar, striking out eight and giving up only four hits. Beginning with Michelle Kinney, who was the last batter in the top of the second inning, Gwyn retired 10 consecutive batters over a span of three-and-a-third innings. It wasn't enough for the junior who now has a 3-1 record, as BYU was unable to capitalize on any of its nine hits. "Christina pitched great," Eakin said. "She threw a solid game. We just couldn't get the timely run or hit when we threatened." In the fifth inning, Jennifer Whiteley knocked a one-out single straight up the middle hoping to spark a BYU rally. Monica Gonzales got a single of her own, which put Cortney Nix-Clark at the plate with a runner in scoring position. The senior catcher delivered with a single of her own, loading them up for Tracee Hoch. Hoch, who leads the team in RBIs this season, reached first on a fielder's choice. Whiteley, however, was out at home plate. The next batter, Jodi Norton, grounded out to second base and the inning was over. The Cougars' bats remained active in the sixth when freshman Angeline Quiocho doubled down the right field line, moving Jana Anderson, who was pinch running for Dani Urincho, to third. But, as had been the case for most of the night, pitching got the best of the bats and Kelli Miller put away the next two Cougars. MSU came alive in the top of the seventh when it had Gwyn facing a two on and no outs situation. After Blair Hewlett struck out, Sammi Jo Bailey doubled to right field giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. The next batter drew a walk, loading up the bases for MSU. Gwyn kept her composure and struck out the side, as BYU headed into the bottom of the order needing a run to at least send it into extra innings.
Gonzales began the final push with a lead-off single to left field. However, the next three batters were retired in succession, and the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season. BYU continues play in the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic with a double-header Friday against Cal State Northridge at 9 a.m. PST and then against No. 7 Oregon State at noon PST. |
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