BOX SCORE

ST. JOSEPH, MO.—The legendary coaching career of Bloomsburg University's Jan Hutchinson came to an end at the 2010 NCAA Division II national softball championships on Saturday when the Huskies lost to Angelo State by a score of 5-4 in eight innings. The loss eliminated the Huskies from the tournament.

The game started well enough for the Huskies despite leaving the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. Nikki Shiko (Shamokin, Southern Columbia)was hit by a pitch to lead off the game and one out later went to second on a bunt by Lacy Mauro (Jersey Shore, Jersey Shore). After Sam Pientack (Archbald, Valley View)reached on an error by the third baseman to load the bases, Angelo State pitcher April Haywood retired the next two batters to end the threat.

Bloomsburg finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Pientack crushed a home run to left field for a 1-0 Huskies lead. The Huskies made it 2-0 in the fifth when Shiko singled with one out, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Danielle Lazorka (Williamsport, Jersey Shore)and scored on a single by Mauro.

Angelo State rallied with two outs in the bottom of the fifth aided by some sloppy defensive play by Bloomsburg. With two out and runner on first the Rambelle's Sarah DeMoss singled putting runners on first and second. Kaycee Taylor then followed with a single to right. The throw home was cut off by Shavaun Fisher (Coplay, Allentown Central Catholic), who turned and fired the ball wide of Mauro at the plate allowing a second run to score. On the next play, Lazorka bobbled a grounder and threw late to first putting runners at the corners. Kacie Easley was intentionally walked to load the bases. Amanda Wilhelm then singled home the third run and Brittany Astle walked with the bases loaded for the fourth run of the inning for Angelo State.

Bloomsburg rallied in the top of the sixth. Pientack homered to deep left center field off relief pitcher Chelsea Nelson. Mandy Koch (Dauphin, Central Dauphin) then just missed a homer to left as it hit off the fence. Fisher then doubled off the glove of the first baseman allowing pinch-runner Sinea Gallagher (Clarks Summit, Abington Heights) to score the tying run.

In the top of the seventh the Huskies threatened again getting two on with two outs, but Nelson got a strikeout to end the frame.

After the Huskies went in order in the top of the eighth, Easley, Angelo State's top home run hitter during the year, drilled a pitch to left center ending the game and the Huskies hopes for a national title. 

"It was a great game, but we made a mistake or two that cost us," said Hutchinson. "There is no player to blame for a loss like this. We win together and we lose together. Today we lost."

"This is a close knit group and they made it fun for me to come to practice each day," Hutchinson continued. "I will really  miss all of them."

Pitcher Shavaun Fisher (Coplay/Allentown Central Catholic) said she learned a lot from playing for Hutchinson. "I have played for a lot of coaches, but coach pushed me to be my best. I will miss her next year."

Bloomsburg had advanced to the game with Angelo State by eliminating Molloy College of New York earlier in the day, 2-1, in nine innings.

The game also was the final one for Bloomsburg retiring coach Jan Hutchinson who ends her amazing career with a record of 1,215-288-2. Hutchinson led the Huskies to 28 straight NCAA championship appearances, including 11 championship round appearances.

As a team Bloomsburg finishes the 2010 season with a record of 50-8, the third time in school history the Huskies have won 50 or more games.