Florida Atlantic Eliminates Mississippi State, 1-0

Lincoln, Neb. --- Third-seeded Florida Atlantic stayed alive in NCAA Regional play with a 1-0 win over Mississippi State in the fourth game Friday of the Lincoln Regional at Bowlin Stadium.

Florida Atlantic improved to 56-17 on the season and will advance Saturday to play Creighton, an 8-4 winner in 10 innings over Iowa late Friday. Mississippi State wrapped up its season with a 39-26 overall record after losing back-to-back games Friday beginning with a 2-1 loss to top-seeded California.

Marlene Lopez put the only score of the game on the board in the bottom of the sixth, pinch running for Callie Piper, when Jenn Piaza flied into a double play, allowing Lopez to score the go-ahead run.

Piper reached first on a hit to right center on the first pitch of the inning from MSU's Kelli Miloler. Melissa Massey took over in the circle for Miller, recording an error on a sacrifice bunt by Pam Mazzarella. Ashley Greene pinch ran for Massey and was called out on the double play while trying to take third base.

It looked like Mississippi State would strike first in the top of the sixth when Iyhia McMichael got the Bulldogs started by turning in a single and advancing to second. McMichael extended her streak of getting on base for the 41st consecutive game. Kate Jaspers got on base after being hit by a pitch, as McMicheal moved to second base. In the first out of the inning, McMichael advanced to third, but the next two batters grounded out to help Florida Atlantic escape the inning without a MSU score.

On the mound, FAU's Candice Freel pitched her 17th shutout of the season and allowed three hits in seven innings of work to improve to 28-9. For Mississippi State, Miller took the loss after allowing three hits in five innings. Miller dropped to 11-11 on the season after also taking the loss to California on Friday.

Notes
Mississippi State's Iyhia McMichael singled to second base in the top of the sixth to reach base at least once for the 41st consecutive game...she reached base safely in 64 of MSU's 65 games in 2004.

Florida Atlantic improved to 2-1 in NCAA Regional play with the win over Mississippi State. The Owls have staved off eliminiation twice, after opening the tournament with a 6-2 loss to Creighton. FAU defeated Lehigh 3-0 in their first elimination game.

Candice Freel, Jr., RHP, Florida Atlantic...allowed three hits and no runs against Mississippi State... improved to 28-9 on the season and 1-1 in NCAA Tournament play... gave up four earned runs on eight hits in the loss to Creighton.

Callie Piper, Sr., C, Florida Atlantic...hitting .333 (3-9) in the 2004 NCAA Regional with one RBI