For the first time in 20 years, the Washington Huskies will not be playing in an NCAA Regional final. Coach Heather Tarr’s team struggled to find any rhythm on offense on Saturday, dropping two games that could have sent them to Sunday’s final.
In the first game, the Huskies lost 3-2 to the Omaha Mavericks and the regional’s breakout star, pitcher Kamryn Meyer, who improved to 27-4 with the victory. She has thrown every pitch for the Mavericks so far in the tournament and silenced Washington’s offense, allowing just 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 earned runs to go with 5 strikeouts.
The Huskies’ only runs came on a two-run double from Alana Johnson in the first inning. Freshman Sidne Peters took the loss, her first of the year, after starting and working 3 innings, letting up 3 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs (2 earned).
Lana J getting us started 💪
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📊 https://t.co/NtUFdl8wR4 pic.twitter.com/yco0p0B6Y3— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) May 18, 2024
The loss forced the Huskies to return to the field later on Saturday night for a matchup with the regional hosts, the No. 7 Missouri Tigers. Sophomore Ruby Meylan got the start and allowed 3 hits over 2 1/3 innings, but 2 of those hits were home runs.
Abby Hay opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning, and Jenna Lair followed with one of her own in the third. Washington’s only run came across in the fifth inning thanks to an RBI single from Jillian Celis, before the Tigers responded with 2 runs off Peters in the bottom of the frame.
Meylan took the loss to finish 9-10 on the season and Lauren Krings earned the victory, improving to 15-8 after 4 1/3 innings. She allowed 6 hits, 1 walk, and 1 earned run, striking out 4 batters along the way.
Saturday marked the end of the careers of four Huskies, as Celis, Brooke Nelson, Avery Hobson, and Lindsay Lopez all played in their final game.