By Michael Kinney
OKLAHOMA CITY— It was a long wait. Almost 15 hours after Washington was supposed to open their run at the 2023 Women’s College World Series, they were finally able to take the field due to a lengthy weather delay the night before.
Despite the wait, the Huskies did what they needed to as they knocked off Pac-12 rival Utah 4-1 Friday afternoon at USA Hall of Fame Stadium.
“I’m proud of everybody on our team. We have 17 women on this team. That’s not a very big roster,” UW coach Heather Tarr said. “We nearly used every single person. I’m just proud of the work that they’re continuing to put in. Last night was tough on us in terms of getting ready. A lot of these guys haven’t played here before. Just waiting for the advantage, just like every other team got, to kind of break the ice and get out there. It’s tough to extend it another 15 hours. Nobody’s fault or anything like that, but it was just a challenge. I thought we did that well.”
One of the players who made their first appearance at the WCWS was sophomore Rylee Holtorf. However, the shortstop played like a veteran as she went 3-for-3 at the plate with homer, 3 RBI and a run scored.
“I think going to compete at every at-bat is kind of the same mindset,” Holtorf said. “The stage is a little bigger, but it’s the same, getting in the box, same routine, all of that. Just competing the best I can.”
In the bottom of the second inning, Holtorf gave Washington a 2-1 lead after blasting a 2-run homerun off the Utes Mariah Lopez. That was the only hit she allowed in the first three innings.
Yet, it was the Huskies Ruby Meylan who found themselves in trouble first. Despite holding a one run advantage and allowing just two hits, the freshman was pulled from the game in the top of the fourth inning.
“I just think she’s amped. She’s going to have to really figure out how she’s going to just stay in the moment and do what she knows she can do,” Tarr said of Meylan. “We’re going to keep giving her the ball, giving her opportunities. We also at that point just thought Lindsay (Lopez) was the better option at that point in the game.”
With a runner on first, UW’s Lindsey Lopez took the mound and gave up a single on her second pitch of the game. Two batters later she plunked a batter to load the bases.
Utah’s Julia Jimenez, who has 10 homers on the season, came to the plate with a chance to do more than just tie the game. However, Lindsay Lopez induced the senior into popping out to end the threat.
“It gave me a lot of confidence,” Lindsay Lopez said. “There’s been times with runners on. I really notice in those types of situations, my heart rate is so low. I just breathe through it all. That’s really helped me in my process.”
Holtorf continued her clutch hitting in the fourth inning she drove in Avery Hobson with a single into center field.
“I think that just of the preparation that we’ve had and done as a team. The coaches have done a really good job preparing us. This was now our fifth time seeing Utah,” Holtorf said. “We’ve done a lot of scouting, preparations off of machines at stuff back at home in Seattle. Just that preparation and trusting when I go into the box, trying to see the ball big, do what I can.”
With their opportunities starting to run out, Utah tried to get something going in the top of the sixth inning. Kendall Lundgerg walked to get a runner on base. Shelbi Ortiz hit a groundball to second and Lundberg was thrown out.
The Utes Aliva Belarde also grounded out to end the inning and UW still leading 3-1.
Holtorf picked up her third hit of the day and loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth. Olivia Johnson picked up a sacrifice fly into left field to bring home Kelley Lynch.
That was all Lindsay Lopez (14-3) needed. She sat the Utes down in order in the seventh to close out the game.
Because their game was delayed a day, Utah didn’t have much time to sit around and sulk. They will face off with Oklahoma State Friday night in an elimination game.
“We’re just going to take our fight,” Lundberg said. “Honestly, no team is better than us at fighting back. I think that’s all we’ve got to do.”
Washington (44-13) will be back in action Saturday when they will take on Florida State, who run-ruled the Cowgirls Thursday night at 6 p.m.
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