May 13, 2006
Fresno, Calif. - The Nevada softball team won its first ever WAC title, beating Hawai'i twice on Saturday. The Wolf Pack won the deciding game three, 7-0. The Pack was led by Jordan McPherson who pitched all seven innings. McPherson was named tournament MVP.
Nevada struck quickly scoring one in the second and three in the third. The Pack added one in the fourth and two in the sixth.
McPherson was on a mission throughout the 2006 tournament. She pitched all 41 innings for the Pack. Had 34 strikeouts and had an amazing 0.00 ERA. McPherson struck out seven in the final game and gave up only 24 hits.
The Pack's first game against Hawai'i was decided by a Nevada error in the bottom of the sixth. Kaulana Gould reached on an error by Candice Rainwater. Rainwater couldn't handle the throw from third, allowing Brandi Peiler to score from second. Gould was subsequently thrown out at second, but the run scored. The Pack couldn't rally in the seventh and Hawai'i won 1-0.
McPherson threw all six innings, bringing her tournament total up to 27. She recorded three strikeouts, gave up four hits and allowed no earned runs.
Justine Smethurst pitched seven shutout innings, with four strikeouts. She gave up two hits.
Nevada rallied to win the second game of the three game championship by a score of 4-2. Kymberly Silagyi scored the first run for the Pack in the bottom of the second inning when Rainwater singled to center.
The Pack added three in the fourth off RBI's from Katie Stith (2) and Tyler Schafer (1). Hawai'i scored both its runs in the third.
McPherson pitched seven more innings in the game, bringing her total up to 34. Neither of Hawaii's runs was earned, leaving McPherson's ERA at 0.00. She struck out seven, allowed seven hits and had no walks.
Courtney Baughman got the loss for Hawai'i. She pitched three innings, gave up five hits, three earned and had two strikeouts.
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