Just Plain Perfect

Husky softball has now carried a no-hitter into at least the 4th inning in 5 straight games.

Gabbie Plain finished this one off, and it wasn't just a no-no.

Plain (12-1) tossed the fourth perfect game in program history as #1 Washington (38-2, 9-2 Pac-12) run-ruled Utah (17-17, 2-9) by a 12-0 final.

Most no-hitters seem to have at least one very good defensive play to keep the bid intact. This time, it came on the final play, and by the pitcher herself.

On the very last play of the game, Alyssa Palacios lined a ball back to Plain that deflected off of her glove and got a few feet behind her. She initially couldn't find it, but picked it up and fired a bullet to Kirstyn Thomas at first just in time to get the out.

Plain's ERA drops to 0.70, which puts her back in the team lead, passing Taran Alvelo's 0.71. Miranda Viramontes takes the loss for the Utes, dropping to 3-9. Viramontes gave up 7 runs (6 earned) in just 1 ¹⁄₃ innings, walking five batters.

A day after Alvelo carried a no-hitter into the seventh before a leadoff single ended it, the Husky offense made sure only 5 innings would be needed in this one, jumping all over Viramontes in the 2nd inning. 4 walks were issued in the inning, including a bases-loaded walk to Sis Bates. The big hit of the inning came from Julia DePonte, who lined a ball to left-center that eluded Barrera in center and rolled all the way to the wall. Taylor Van Zee, Bates, and Thomas all scored as DePonte slid headfirst into third with her 6th career triple. That was the final straw to chase Viramontes as Utah brought in Claire Feldman, who fared better but was still hit around somewhat, particularly in the 4th.

The Huskies now have four perfect games in their history. Most recently, Danielle Lawrie threw a 6-inning perfect game against Utah Valley on February 26, 2006.

Headed back out for the 5th inning after a long inning and a brief rain delay, catcher Emma Helm had a quick word with her battery mate. "I said just go out there and attack, and then I also said some things I can't repeat," Helm said. "But those hitters had nothing on her today. That was the best game, in terms of command, that she's thrown to me."

The Huskies have now clinched a series win against Utah, having won 5-0 last night. UW goes for the sweep tomorrow at 1 PM on Pac-12 Net (Washington/Mountain).