May 19, 2003
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After tossing her third career no-hitter against No. 17 Stanford, sophomore All-Atlantic Coast Conference pitcher Jessica Sallinger was selected to the all-tournament team for the NCAA Region Eight Tournament at the Alabama Softball Complex.
Sallinger, who was also named to the all-tournament team following the 2002 NCAA Regional, allowed just two hits over her final 16 innings pitched at the tournament. Against the Cardinal, Sallinger fired nine no-hit innings in Tech’s first-ever victory over a Pac-10 squad, while she allowed just two hits in the Jackets’ season-ending loss to Massachusetts.
In all, Sallinger posted a 1.91 earned run average and struck out 17 batters in 22 innings pitched. With eight strikeouts against the Minutewomen, Sallinger tied her own single-season school record of 337. After just two seasons, she also owns Tech career marks for wins (50), strikeouts (674) and lowest career ERA (1.22).
Tech went 2-2 in the double-elimination tournament and now owns a 5-4 all-time mark in NCAA Regional play.
Alabama freshman Stephanie VanBrakle, who led the Tide to a Women’s College World Series berth, was voted the tournament’s MVP, while Erin Wright, Dominique Accetturo and Lacy Prejean also made the all-tournament team from Bama. Amy Harre, Maria Damico, Jenny Doehring and Haley Viefhaus made the all-tournament team from Southern Illinois, while Illinois’ Rachelle Coriddi and Erin Jones, along with UMass’ Katie Jo Kelley and Stanford’s Dana Sorensen rounded out the squad.
-GT-
