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June 7, 2002 - According to the college coaches at the game, the Colorado Comets were the pre-game favorite to win the 9:45 pm
Friday game against the South Houston Mystixxs. After all, all of the Comets roster players were signed or committed to a college except junior outfielder Kayleen Hudson. The Comets had finished 4th at Nationals last summer but since only one player returned they had to re-qualify.
South Houston Mystixxs was a younger team consisting primarily of juniors that graduate in 2003. Lauren Dixon (Louisiana Monroe player) and Krystal Patino (Jacinto Community College player) were the exceptions. Both were college freshman.
Krystal was selected to the 2nd Team Region XIV All-Conference Team for 2002.
The Mystixxs appeared to score in the first inning but didn't score. Sharonda McDonald laid down a bunt and used her sprinter speed to beat the throw to first for a base hit. Sharonda easily stole 2nd base. K. Farrel sacrifice bunt moved Sharonda to 3rd with one out. Krystal Patino then put a ball into play down the first base line that Sharonda scored on. However, Sharonda was sent back to third because the umpire ruled Krystal had made contact with the ball outside of the batter box. This was not apparent to me or to anybody else except the umpire.
With two out, Lauren Dixon hit a grounder to the second baseman who threw to first to get out No. 3.
The game remained tied until the International tie breaker inning. Randi Patton started the inning out at 2nd base for the Comets. Samantha Murphy (University of Texas Signee) sacrificed Randi to 3rd base. Randi scored when Kami Keiter singled in the gap between left and center field. Shilo Jorgenson hit a grounder to the pitcher (Lindsey Keller) who threw to 2nd to get the force out on Kami. Kami was safe on a throwing or catching error (I was blocked out of seeing the play by the pitcher). Kayleen Hudson then flied to the 2nd baseman (K. Farrel) for out No. 2. Veronica Green (Fresno State) struck-out to end the inning.
Jennifer Knapp started the International Tie Breaker Inning out at 2nd for the Mystixxs. Amy Parker sacrificed Jennifer to 3rd base. Hannah Garza bunted foul on the 3rd strike for out No. 2. Terrah Rode then hit a ground ball to the first baseman who got the out un-assisted.
Junior pitcher Lindsey Keller of Dickenson was the star player in this game. Lindsey limited Colorado Comets to only 4 singles. She had a game high 11 strike-outs while scattering 4 walks. Early in the game, Lindsey threw a lot of change-ups (42-45 mph) that the Comets either watched for a strike or swung and missed for a strike. She finished most of the batters off with a 60 or 61 mph screwball.
Kami Keiter(Oklahoma Signee) went the distance on the mound for the Comets. Kami had to relie more on her defense. She only had 4 strike-outs. She gave-up one hit to Sharonda McDonald and
one walk to Becky dela Garza. College Sports Exposure radar Kami throwing 60 to 61 mph most of the night and on two occasions 63 mph.
Randi Patton (Illinois State Signee), Samantha Murphy, Kami Keiter and Shilo Jorgensen (University of Nebraska at Omaho) had the singles for Colorado.
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