UW-Green Bay Shocks No. 6 Oregon State, 1-0
May 20, 2005 | Softball
In one of the largest upsets in recent NCAA tournament history, fourth-seeded UW-Green Bay stunned top-seeded and sixth-ranked Oregon State in the nightcap of opening day NCAA Regional softball action at Goodman Diamond Friday evening.
Lynsy Erickson's fifth-inning RBI double that scored pinch runner Niki Pucci from first was the difference in the contest. The Fighting Phoenix overcame a 12-strikeout performance by Beaver pitcher Brianne McGowan to earn the upset win.
Stephanie Hansen (9-6) picked a complete-game, six-hit shutout to pick the victory for UWGB, which was outhit 6-3 in the contest. Hansen struck out Kelly Petersen with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
The Phoenix advance to take on DePaul, a 6-0 winner over Wisconsin, in a winner's bracket game at noon Saturday. The Badgers and the Beavers will follow in an elimination game at 2:30 p.m.
Game notes
This was the first meeting between the Beavers and the Phoenix ' Wisconsin Green Bay is in its first NCAA tournament ' tonight 's game marked the first victory by the Phoenix over a ranked opponent in their Division I history ' UWGB has now won six straight contests ' Oregon State qualified for NCAA Regional action for the seventh consecutive season ' OSU pitcher Brianne McGowan surpassed 300 strikeouts for the season, adding to her school season record ' McGowan's 12 strikeouts tied her career best and give her 305 for the season ' today's crowd of 1,092 fans is the largest for a college game at Goodman Diamond.
Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin-Green Bay coach Jean Rivett on the final inning and the victory:
'I went out there to the mound and all I could say was `you guys have been cardiac kids all year' and I said `there's no doubt that you can finish this off.' We said a few jokes on the mound as we usually do to keep things relaxed and Steph (Hansen) came through. This is the biggest win in the history of the program and another stepping stone for this program. It's just amazing, these kids don't stop believing and they just find a way.'
Wisconsin-Green Bay pitcher Stephanie Hansen on the pressure of the final inning and the win:
'My dad asked me once, `Stephanie, what do you think about in that situation'' I really don't know, I just try to keep myself calm, just breath in, breath out. I try to think about the exact situation, what pitch I'm going to throw, which batter is up. I just can't believe that we just won that game. This means more to me than anything in my life ever. This team has worked so hard all season and every goal we've set for ourselves, we have met. This is our reward. We knew coming into this game that this is our reward, to play here at this stadium in front of our fans in our home state. This team is amazing, it really is. '
