(Story courtesy of Texas Lutheran University Athletics Communications)
ITHACA, NY -- Senior right-handed pitcher Amanda White struck out eight across 7.0 innings of one-run ball as the No. 9-ranked Texas Lutheran softball team advanced to Saturday's NCAA Ithaca Regional final with a 3-1 win over No. 21 Ithaca Friday afternoon at Kostrinsky Field. With the win, Texas Lutheran advances to its tenth straight NCAA Regional Final.
Texas Lutheran (41-3) out-hit the Bombers (29-7) 6-1 over the course of the game and received huge hits from Taylor Vannett (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R), Serena Gonzalez (1-for-2, 2B, BB, RBI), and Faith Hernandez (1-for-3, RBI).
White settled in wonderfully following a one-out error that led to Ithaca's only run in the second, proceeding to retire the final 16 batters she faced. The SCAC Pitcher of the Year struck out eight batters across her 7.0 innings of work, permitting just four to reach on the single, two walks, and a hit batsman. She threw 66 of her 101 pitches for strikes, working at a 65.3% strike rate.
The Bulldog right-hander improved to 21-1 on the season and picked up her first career NCAA Tournament win. Her 21 wins tie former Bulldog Maitlin Raycroft (2017) for the second most wins in a single-season in TLU softball history.
TLU responded quickly following the Ithaca run in the top of the second as Taylor Vannett hit a one-out solo home run, the first of her career, to tie the game at one.
After lying dormant for the next three innings, the Bulldogs offense came alive in the sixth - plating two runs on three hits. Caelee Clark led off the inning with a bunt single before Annie Kay moved her over with a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Serena Gonzalez and Faith Hernandez pushed the winning runs across for the Bulldogs.
White went 1-2-3 in the seventh, striking out the final two batters she faced to punch the Bulldogs ticket to the Regional Final.
TLU advances to Saturday's regional final with the opponent to be determined after Friday's elimination game between Ithaca and UMass-Boston. First pitch is scheduled for 11 AM EST at Kostrinsky Field with the "if-necessary" game set for a 1:30 PM start. The game will be broadcast on ncaa.com. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.
