May 21, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Alabama (65-12) defeated Arizona State (43-20) 3-1 to secure a spot in the College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Crimson Tide makes their first-ever trip to the Oklahoma City, while Arizona State ends its season after tying a school record for most wins in a season.
"Ever since I played high school ball it's been a dream to go to the College World Series," Alabama senior Kelly Kretchman said. "With how far we've come, it just means so much to our program. It proves how great our coaches are and the recruiting they're able to do."
The Crimson Tide were paced by Region 5 Most Outstanding Player Shelley Laird who gave Alabama seven strong innings allowing only one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Alabama started the scoring in the second inning when catcher Lacy Prejean launched a homerun over the center field fence. The Crimson Tide scored twice in the fifth inning after designated player Kelley Askew reached base on an error by shortstop Kara Brun and Kretschman hit a two-run homer to right field.
Kretschman led Alabama going 1-for-3 with one run scored and two RBI.
ASU was held scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning when sophomore starting pitcher Kirsten Voak scored the Sun Devils only run, a solo shot that hit the left field foul pole.
Voak pitched five innings allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
"Definitely we've lived and died with Voak] on the longball," ASU Head Coach Linda Wells said. "Occasionally we're able to avoid it with our offense, and today was a case of we couldn't keep the ball in the park. You can't win if you don't score."
Region 5 All-Tournant Team:
Kara Brun, Arizona State
Erin Norton, Penn State
Shelley Laird, Alabama
Lauren Yates, Coastal Carolina
Sarah Lockett, Coastal Carolina
Ginger Jones, Alabama
Kelly Kretschman, Alabama
Erica Beach, Arizona State
Lacy Prejean, Alabama
Holly Lee, Coastal Carolina
Nicole Myers, Florida Atlantic
Nichole Thompson, Arizona State
Region 5 Tournament Most Outstanding Player:
Shelley Laird, Alabama