BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – On a stunning spring afternoon at Viking Field, the Western Washington University Softball team clinched the NCAA West Regional Championship in historic fashion.
In a grueling final game of a three-game series against Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Vikings finished the fourth inning trailing 6-0. Heading into their final at-bat in the 7th inning, the Vikings still trailed 6-2 as junior infielder Kanilehua Pitoy stepped up to the plate and brought the score to 6-5 with a three-run home run. WWU finished the 7th inning with a tied score, forcing Dominguez Hills into extra innings.
Dominguez Hills failed to score a run in the top of the 8th, giving the Vikings their shot at the title.
WWU freshman infielder and lead-off batter Maleah Andrews started the bottom of the 8th inning at the plate. With a 2-1 count and no outs, Andrews hit a hard flyball to deep left field and well-cleared the fence to beat Dominguez Hills 7-6 and send the Vikings into GNAC and program history.
The WWU Vikings are the first GNAC school to win a West Regional title and advance to the NCAA Softball Championship Finals. The Vikings will play among eight teams in Longwood, FL from May 19 – 25 with hopes of securing the NCAA Championship Finals.
To see photos from the game, click HERE.
