May 18, 2002

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. - No. 1 seed Louisiana State University defeated the No. 4 seed University of Massachusetts, 1-0, in the semifinal game of the NCAA Regional Softball Tournament this evening to eliminate the Minutewomen from postseason play. UMass concludes the season with a record of 53-13, while the Tigers (56-10) move on to the championship game against Arizona State and a chance to advance to the Women's College World Series, May 23-27.

Junior ace Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, British Columbia) kept the Tigers in check through the first two innings, including four consecutive strikeouts, but a lead off home run by LSU's Jennie Reeves in the third would eventually knock UMass out of national title contention.

Massachusetts was unable to put a run on the board as senior Ashley Bakken (Phoenix, Ariz.) and sophomore Aisha Franke (Philadelphia, Pa.) produced UMass' only hits of the night.

Holtz (23-7) scattered five hits and three walks, while striking out nine. Sneed (34-6) allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out 12.

UMass concludes the season with 16 school records, including 53 victories and a 33 game win streak. The Minutewomen captured their eighth consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship crown and made their 12th appearance to the NCAA Regional Tournament.