Washington pitcher Ruby Meylan breaks down after sending Huskies to Women’s College World Series
Washington softball entered Saturday seven innings away from a return to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2019. And after playing to a scoreless tie for several innings against Louisiana, the Huskies managed to plate a pair of runs, setting the table for pitcher Ruby Meylan to finish things off.
Starting pitcher Lindsay Lopez pitched six innings of sterling softball, stranding eight baserunners and befuddling the Ragin’ Cajuns offense. She gave way to Meylan in the seventh, just three outs standing between Washington and Oklahoma City.
Meylan made short work of the Louisiana batters. After striking out the third on a full count, winning the game, the flood of emotions hit — and the ESPN cameras captured what might be one of the best moments of the tournament.
“For the 15th time in school history, the Washington Huskies are headed to the Women’s College World Series,” the play-by-play announcer said as jubilant teammates surrounded Meylan in the pitchers circle.
And as quickly as Meylan’s emotional rollercoaster went from amped-up closing situation to tears of joy, she found herself composed in the postgame handshake line. After all, the Huskies aren’t done playing this season.
It took some manufactured offense for Washington to take the lead on Louisiana
As head coach Heather Tarr spoke with the broadcast crew briefly in the bottom of the fourth inning, she discussed how the Huskies could get their bats going.
Tarr gave plenty of credit to Louisiana pitcher Meghan Schorman for the work she was doing. And as Washington was the away team on Saturday following Game 1 of the Super Regional, Tarr knew the Huskies needed to get things clicking in the final innings of the game as she spoke during the bottom of the fourth inning.
“For us, we just have to trust what we’re seeing and make some adjustments a little bit quicker. But I think she’s doing a good job. So give us a little bit more time and see if we can figure it out,” Tarr said.
The offensive doldrums on Saturday were a stark departure from Friday night. The Huskies run-ruled Louisiana, 8-0 in five inning to win the first game of the Super Regional.
When Tarr spoke to the broadcast crew, Washington had only recorded one hit and had only two baserunners on. After a quiet fifth inning, the Huskies got something going in the top of the 6th as an Avery Hobson double followed by a Sami Reynolds slap-bunt single put the pressure on in a 0-0 game.
With one out, Schorman finally had to make pitches with danger on the base paths.
Washington right fielder Madison Huskey stepped into the box and launched a fly ball to center field, scoring the runner from third on a sacrifice fly to open the scoring.
Then, in the top of the seventh inning, Tarr inserted Brooklyn Carter as a pinch runner. And Carter delivered by stealing, literally, a second run for the Huskies.
And that was enough, as Meylan did the rest.
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