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Lincoln, Neb. -- Sophomore right-hander Kristina Thorson tossed a one-hit shutout in the NCAA Tournament Region 5 championship game to lead top-seeded California to a 2-0 win over second-seeded Nebraska Sunday afternoon at Bowlin Stadium.
With the win, the Bears (50-11) secured a spot in the NCAA Women's College World Series for the sixth straight year. Nebraska, the 2004 Big 12 Conference regular-season and tournament champion, finished the season with a 45-17 record.
Thorson entered the bottom of the seventh with a perfect game on the line. However, NU's Anne Steffan led off the inning with a perfectly placed bunt and beat CU third baseman Vicky Galindo's throw to first for the Huskers' only hit of the game. Thorson (27-3) finished the game with eight strikeouts, and she did not surrender a walk.
Senior right-hander Peaches James (37-9) took the loss for NU, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out six Bears.
An error-plagued fourth inning by the Husker defense led to two runs for Cal. Galindo led off and sent a bloop double to left. Lindsay James followed and reached on a throwing error by NU third baseman Jessica Yoachim. Galindo then scored as Lindsay James stole second. Woods followed and bunted. Steffan ran over to cover first, but couldn't handle Peaches James' throw, and Lindsay James scored for the 2-0 lead.
The Huskers had their final chance in the bottom of the seventh, with Steffan on first and no outs. Steffan moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Yoachim, but was thrown out attempting to advance to third on a fielder's choice, as Nicole Trimboli reached first safely. Trisha Tannahill fouled out to third to end the game.
NCAA Region 5 All-Tournament Team
Kristina Thorson, Cal
Vicky Galindo, Cal
Haley Woods, Cal
Kaleo Eldredge, Cal
Peaches James, Nebraska
Nicole Trimboli, Nebraska
Stacey Rybar, Creighton
Abby Johnson, Creighton
Tammy Nielsen, Creighton
Jessica Braggins, Florida Atlantic
Lisa Birocci, Iowa
Natalie Johnson, Iowa
Nebraska Notes...Nebraska ended its season for the second straight year with a loss at home in NCAA regional play...the Huskers have compiled a 20-7 record in regional action in Lincoln...NU is 47-32 all-time in the NCAA Tournament...Nebraska is 14-10 all-time vs. Cal and 1-2 in 2004, falling twice to the Bears in the NCAA regional, but defeating them 3-0 Feb. 28 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.
Peaches James, Sr., RHP, Nebraska...James ended her career as the single-season strikeout and shutouts leader at Nebraska, as well as the career strikeout and shutouts leader...ranks in the top five in school history in nine different career pitching categories...ranks second in victories (98), second in innings pitched (917.1), fifth in ERA (1.21), fifth in saves (nine), second in complete games (101), second in no-hitters (three) and first in perfect games (one).
Nicole Trimboli, Sr., OF, Nebraska...Trimboli ended her career with 173 RBIs, the second-highest total in school history...ranks in the top 10 in school history in 10 different career offensive categories...ranks second in at bats (772), fifth in games played (246), sixth in runs scored (126), fifth in doubles (36), fifth in home runs (27), fourth in total bases (358), ninth in slugging percentage (.466) and ninth in stolen bases (46).
California Notes
The Bears will be making their sixth straight NCAA Women's College World Series appearance and ninth overall...2004 marks the third straight season that Cal has gone undefeated in NCAA regional play...Cal has been in the NCAA championship game each of the past two seasons, winning the national title in 2002 and falling to UCLA, 1-0, in nine innings in the 2003 championship...Cal owns a 12-game winning streak.
Kristina Thorson, So., RHP, California...Thorson was named the region's most outstanding player...finished the regional with a 4-0 record, throwing 28 scoreless innings and allowing just six hits...struck out 30 and walked just four in regional play.
Vicky Galindo, Jr., 3B, California...Galindo was the regional's leading hitter with a .500 (6-for-12) average, five runs scored, a home run and two doubles...has an eight-game hitting streak.