Motzny's three-run homer in the first inning was one of three hits by the junior center fielder, and provided more than enough offense to back Prescott's pitching. The senior hurler struck out six batters, walked four and allowed four hits, helping her team team earn a berth in the national tournament, which begins Wednesday in Houston, Texas.
"We have had great pitchers in the history of this program and Lizzy is one of those," HSU head coach Frank CHeek said. "She's a coaches dream."
"This what we have wanted ever since I have been here," Motzny said. "The homerun really took this pressure off of Liz. I've never been to Texas before."
Hosting for the first time since 2004, No. 1 seed Humboldt State took the hard road to the title, winning six straight after falling 10-1 in the Jacks' opening game against No. 8 seed Cal State San Bernardino. Western Oregon had cruised through its first three games unbeaten, but lost 1-0 to the Jacks on Saturday to force a true championship game Sunday.
The win sends the Jacks to the national tournament for the first time since 2001. Making the program's fifth appearance overall, Humboldt State will take on Mid-Atlantic Regional winner and the 2007 national runner-up Lock Haven University in its first game.
Humboldt State's athletes had to pack their bags quickly in preparation for the NCAA-provided Monday afternoon charter flight out of Arcata Airport. They'll arrive in time for Tuesday's practice sessions, coaches meetings, and the festival's opening ceremonies at the Houston Downtown Aquarium.
All of Humboldt State's games will be broadcast live locally on KATA Radio, 1340 AM, and also webcast on the hsujacks.com web site. The first broadcast gets underway at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday.
The Lumberjacks (53-18) put up five runs in the first, two sacrifice flys preceding Motzny's blast, and added four more in the seventh to earn the mercy-rule victory. Western Oregon (33-18) stranded runners on the basepaths in all but the second inning, and left six runners in scoring position.
Humboldt State got its bats going quickly, starting the game with singles from Nikki Ketteringham, Caitlin Klug and Natalie Galletly to load the bases against starting and losing pitcher Katie Fleer. Marissa Slattery and Ashley Oltjenbruns drove in a run each with sacrifice flys, and after a walk to Franny West, Motzny unloaded to complete the scoring.
""(Lizzy) presents herself so well in the circle and with such ease. I love playing behind her," West said."Our hard work is finally paying off and the feeling is so great."
Humboldt State 9, Western Oregon 0 (May 11, 2008 at Arcata, Calif.)
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