Hallmark's 2 Homers Pace Western Oregon to NCAA Win

Katie Fleer improved to 19-5 on the season, adding to her school record for wins in a season.

Freshman Jessica Hallmark blasted two home runs as part of a 13-hit Wolves attack, helping to lead Western Oregon to a mercy-rule 9-1 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay in the first game of the NCAA Division II west region softball championships. Photo courtesy: WOU Athletics

ARCATA, Calif. - Freshman Jessica Hallmark blasted two home runs as part of a 13-hit Wolves attack, helping to lead Western Oregon to a mercy-rule 9-1 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay in the first game of the NCAA Division II west region softball championships.

Western Oregon's triumph, in its first-ever NCAA playoff contest, moves them into Thursday's 2 p.m. game against the winner of the Seattle-Cal State Stanislaus contest in this eight-team, double elimination tournament. The Wolves are now 31-16 on the season, setting a school record for wins in a year, while the Otters fall to 35-25.

Hallmark belted a grand slam home run over the centerfield fence in the second inning,and added a deep two-run shot over left-centerfield in the fourth. Her six RBI ties a WOU single-game record.

Hallmark has been on a hitting tear over the last three weeks.

"Jessica is just seeing the ball really well," WOU head coach Pam Knox said. "She has put in the extra time and she is just really comfortable at the plate. She is driving the ball very well."

Hallmark wasn't alone in the good-bat category. Shortstop Tyler Sutherland had three hits in three at-bats, including a tomahawk two-run blast in the fifth that gave the No. 6 seed Wolves a 9-0 lead. Kristin Maglasang and Krysta Pennington had two hits each in the shortened game.

"Everyone had good trips to the plate," Knox confirmed. "We were a little nervous at first, but Jessica's grand slam took the edge off and everyone relaxed from there."

The only WOU player in the line-up to not get a hit was starting pitcher Katie Fleer. But her contributions came in the pitcher's circle, where she had a two-hit shutout going until the fifth inning. Jill Artoff doubled to lead off the inning and Ashlee Trotter brought her home with a single to account for the only Otter run. Fleer finished with a four-hitter, six strikeouts and she did not walk a batter.

"Katie hit her spots and changed speeds very effectively," Knox assessed.

Fleer improved to 19-5 on the season, adding to her school record for wins in a season.

Knox felt confident that the Wolves, who have now won 15 of their last 17 games, would play well against the No. 3 see Otters. But did she expect a mercy-rule win?

"No, definitely no," she laughed. "But we have been hitting the ball very well and with Katie pitching like that we can compete with anyone. We are excited and relieved to be through the first game with that kind of result. It is nice to not have to play the early game tomorrow. This is a great confidence booster for us."

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