Box Score
Box Score

Facing elimination for the third straight game, the #2 ranked Cal State San Marcos Softball team was locked in an incredible scoreless pitcher's duel through 9 innings until Oklahoma City's Kylee Rounsaville knocked a walkoff homerun to left field to end the Cougars brilliant 2012 season.

CSUSM had several opportunities to score, but were unable to plate a run against Oklahoma City standout Lily LaVelle, arguably the top pitcher in the NAIA. LaVelle entered the game as the national leader in wins (41) and strikeouts (512 in 288 innings), but San Marcos was able to get to her early, piling up 3 hits in the first four batters, but stranded the bases loaded without scoring a run.

LaVelle settled down after that first inning, but was matched in every way by CSUSM ace Cortney Allen, who held the Stars scoreless through eight innings. Allen stayed out of trouble altogether, having to just escape one jam in the fourth inning with runners on second and third.

San Marcos had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the top of the ninth after Alex Miller ripped a leadoff single, and Theresa Houle was intentionally walked after Miller advanced on a wild pitch. The Cougars were not able to bring the runner home however, and Oklahoma City walked off with the win on the first pitch of the bottom half of the ninth.

It was the first time CSUSM (55-6) had been shut-out this season after shutting out opponents 23 times in 2012. With the loss, CSUSM will finish 4th place in the tournament, impressively following a 4^th place finish in 2011 and a 5^th place final ranking in 2010. The Cougars went 5-2 in National Tournament play this season, and is 12-5 overall in the last three years.

Tuesday's loss also marks the end of the road for three standout seniors at Cal State San Marcos. 2012 A.I.I. Player of the Year Alyssa Dronenburg will leave CSUSM as the single-season (24) and career home run leader (63). Fellow A.I.I. First Team selections Theresa Houle and Alicia Ingram, the career stolen base leader (92) at San Marcos, each have started every game over the last two seasons and will surely be missed.

On the bright side, the Cougars return an entire pitching staff that ranked 2^nd in the NAIA in earned run average (1.15), as well as 6 starting position players—including A.I.I. first team selections Alex Miller and Kaitlin McGinley. The Cougars will be a young but talented team in 2013, as 4 freshman started Tuesday against Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Stars will move on to play Brenau (GA) for a spot in the NAIA Title game against Shorter (GA).