TEMPE, Ariz. The University of Nevada softball team earned the biggest win in program history with a 1-0 victory over No. 1 Arizona on Sunday at the Kajikawa Classic at Arizona State.
“It was just an incredible game, an absolutely phenomenal performance,” Nevada coach Michelle Gardner said. “I am so proud of our kids. They battled hard for this one.”
The lone run of the game came in the second inning when Michelle Beach came off the bench for a pinch-hit single to give Nevada all the offense it would need for one of the biggest upsets in school history, regardless of sport. Kim Silagyi, who had reached on a fielder’s choice, scored the run for Nevada.
“Michelle Beach came off the bench and did her job in a really tough situation,” Gardner said. “She stepped up and just hit a bullet up the middle.
Senior Jordan McPherson started and got the historic win for Nevada. The co-captain went five innings and gave up three hits while walking three and striking out five.
Sophomore Katie Holverson earned the save with two innings of relief.
After a perfect sixth inning, Holverson ran into trouble in the seventh. She gave up a leadoff double before retiring the next two batters. Two walks later, however, Arizona had the bases loaded. But Holverson struck out Callista Balko looking to seal the victory.
“Jordan pitched great and then Katie came in and stepped up and got the job done,” Gardner said. “This was just a great, great softball game. And it was a team effort.”
Nevada is now 7-3 on the year and the Pack’s three losses are all to Top 10 teams (UCLA, Oklahoma and Texas A&M). Nevada finished play in the tournament with a 4-1 record.
