Campbell/Cartier Classic Draws Big Programs to Big Time Tournament

Written by By Jim McCurdy

    That’s why they say the Pac-12 is the best in the business.
    What those in softball circles have known for years, UCLA and Washington reiterated in San Diego at the Campbell/Cartier Classic Feb. 17-19. UCLA went 5-0, beating quick-rising host San Diego State, 1-0, on an illegal pitch to close a perfect three-day run. Washington also was 5-0 with three shutouts.
    The Huskies got past Central Florida, 1-0, in 10 innings when Marki Creger-Zier singled down the left field line to drive in the winning run. That handed UCF its first loss of the season after an impressive 4-0 start in large part to pitcher Mackenzie Audas. UCLA needed a pair of long balls by B.B. Bates and Samantha Camuso in the seventh inning to beat the same Knights team after Audas kept the Bruins off-balance most of the way.
    “Our most exciting game was the UCF game where we had to battle for the win against an effective pitcher,” Bruins six-year coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “We scored, and they answered back with a long ball. Our hitters then answered with back to back home runs for the win. I simply said, ‘big time moments will be presented to big time Bruins that step up.’ And they did.”
    UCF’s Farrah Sullivan homered in the fourth inning – an answer to UCLA’s first run on Stephany LaRosa’s RBI double to score Andrea Harrison, who also doubled in the inning.
    “This was a great weekend for the Bruins,” Inouye-Perez said. “It is the start of our season, and our goal is to learn as much as we can about ourselves. We faced some talented teams that challenged us in several different ways both offensively and defensively. I am most proud of our defensive efforts throughout the weekend. Our pitchers battled, and created several situations for the team to step up and make plays. Our infield finished strong, making routine plays as well as turning several double plays in key moments to end potential threats. Offensively, we had production one through nine. We were successful getting the leadoff batters on that lead to manufacturing runs as a team.”
    The Bruins, whose record 12th NCAA championship in 2010 marked Inouye-Perez’s crowning moment as a coach, used a combined effort in the circle from Ally Carda and Jessica Hall to three-hit UCF. Hall came on in relief, allowing one hit and no walks in three innings to pick up her third win of the season. Albeit in defeat, Audas held Washington to four hits in 9 2/3 innings.
    “That’s really what defines our game,” Inouye-Perez said. “Defense, at the end of the day, wins championships. Our ability to stay in the game defensively, especially when a pitcher throws your game off offensively, is the key.”
    Washington’s Kaitlin Inglesby went the distance in the win over UCF – her longest outing in her two-year career in Seattle. She allowed six hits with one walk and six strikeouts to keep the Knights’ bats Sleepless in San Diego.
    The Huskies run-ruled UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis in San Diego. Washington blanked co-host San Diego, 5-0, behind pitcher Kasey Stanchek’s four-hit outing in four innings of work to notch her first career win. Bryana Walker worked the last three innings to preserve the win. Shawna Wright had a two-run double in a four-run third. The Huskies beat Boise State, 7-4, behind Inglesby’s big day. She allowed three runs, three hits and three walks in five innings to pick up her fifth straight win. Inglesby also went 3 for 3 with a double and three RBI at the plate. Boise State’s Christin Capobianco doubled and drove in two runs. Mackenzie Whyte was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI, and Tara Glover had two hits in four plate appearances for the Broncos.
    San Diego State also raised eyebrows, beating the likes of Notre Dame, 8-2, and Oregon State, 7-6, in nine innings to open the tournament. The Aztecs also walked a tightrope to beat UCF, 3-2. Lorena Klopp homered and went 2 for 3 for the Aztecs in the win over Central Florida. Fiana Finau also belted a homer for the Aztecs. SDSU pitcher Rebecca Arbino gave up four hits and one walk in the loss to UCLA. Katie Schroeder had two of the Bruins’ hits.
    While the Knights took their lumps in the “L “column at this tournament, the Orlando-area school created its share of rumblings in defeat. UCF battled Oregon State in a 2-1 loss. Desiree Beltran drove in a run and was hit by a pitch that set up the winning run for the Beavers. Marissa Menendez and Tawny Swan accounted for UCF’s two hits. Paige Hall pitched the last 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball for Oregon State. Audas gave up five hits and two unearned runs in six innings in the loss.
    “I was very pleased with the tournament as a whole as it seemed to go off without a hitch,” San Diego State coach Kathy Van Wyk said. “As far as our program and games played, I thought it was an excellent tournament. I think we are making great progress. Our pitching made good improvements from the weekend before, and we did well offensively against some very good pitchers.”
    Van Wyk said the Campbell/Cartier Classic prepared the Aztecs for the prestigious Cathedral City Classic the following week. Poll voters had their eyes dialed in to San Diego State’s doings as well. The Aztecs received 11 votes in the USA Softball/ESPN poll days after their impressive February weekend. This wasn’t an overnight success for San Diego State, though. In fact, the Aztecs made headlines in May when they advanced to the final day of the Tempe Regional in last year’s NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champ Arizona State.
    That brings us back to where we started. Softball titles run through the Pac-12. Early as it was, the Bruins were already talking about Oklahoma City, where softball’s champions are crowned in early June.
    “Our goal is to maintain that tradition, absolutely.” Inouye-Perez said. “Every year that is our goal. Our goal is not to be perfect. Our goal is to win as much as we can so that we can be ready at the end. I feel good about this team because we have a mix.”

Campbell/Cartier Classic Friday, Feb. 17
SDSU Softball Stadium
UCLA 7, UC Davis 1   
Washington 1, Central Florida 0 (10)
San Diego State 8, Notre Dame 2   
UC Davis 6, Central Florida 4   
San Diego State 7, Oregon State 6 (9)   
USD Softball Complex
Boise State 7, UC Santa Barbara 1   
Oregon State 6, UC Santa Barbara 0   
UCLA 4, Boise State 1   
Washington 5, San Diego 0   
San Diego 4, Notre Dame 2   
Saturday, Feb. 18
SDSU Softball Stadium
UCLA 3, Central Florida 1   
San Diego State 3, Central Florida 2   
San Diego State 3, UC Davis 0   
Notre Dame 6, UC Santa Barbara 4
USD Softball Complex
Oregon State 3, Notre Dame 2   
Washington 9, UC Santa Barbara 1 (5)   
Oregon State 7, San Diego 2   
Boise State 4, San Diego 0   
Washington 7, Boise State 4   
Sunday, Feb. 19
SDSU Softball Stadium
Boise State 3, Notre Dame 1   
UCLA 8, UC Santa Barbara 0 (6)   
UCLA 1, San Diego State 0   
USD Softball Complex
Oregon State 2, Central Florida 1   
Washington 11, UC Davis 3 (5)   
San Diego 7, UC Davis 6