Despite home runs by Alexis DeBoer, Ava Carroll and Sophi Mazzola, Washington fell 6-3 to Mississippi State on the opening day of regional play in the NCAA softball tournament Friday in Lubbock, Texas.
UW faces Brown at 1:30 p.m. PT Saturday in the elimination bracket. The Bears fell 6-0 to Texas Tech.
• For the second consecutive season the Western Washington softball team is headed to the NCAA Division II World Series as the West Region champion.
Needing a pair of wins Friday over Super Regional host Cal State San Marcos, the Vikings delivered 4-1 and 3-2 victories, punching their ticket to the national championship tournament, which will be May 22-28 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tenn.
UW’s Jenkins is Big Ten champ
Husky Evan Jenkins became Washington’s first Big Ten outdoor track and field champion Friday night in Eugene, Ore.
In a tight finish for the 10,000-meters title, Jenkins won in 29:24.48 compared to 29:24.65 for Oregon’s Aiden Smith.
Threat of rain cancels Reign
Seattle Reign FC’s road match against Racing Louisville FC — originally set for Friday night — was canceled because of the threat of storms. The match will be 10 a.m. Saturday and stream on NWSL+.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
• Host San Diego State pummeled WSU 15-2.
• Host UW topped USC 3-1.
• Seattle U defeated UT-Arlington 10-5 in Texas.
ROWING
• The WSU women placed first in the 2V4 and 2V8, while finishing second in the 1V8 and third in the 1V4 on the first day of the WCC championships.
HOCKEY
• The Medicine Hat Tigers are the WHL champions after downing the Spokane Chiefs.
MINORS
• The Everett AquaSox got three runs in the ninth inning to down the host Vancouver Canadians 7-6.
• After ending the ninth tied at 12-12, the Rainiers fell in the 14th to host Albuquerque 15-14.