Washington softball advances to World Series

Washington got back to the Women's College World Series on Sunday, and Danielle Lawrie made a persuasive final argument to be the national player of the year.

Lawrie, a finalist for the USA Softball award, pitched a three-hit shutout and pounded two long, two-run home runs in Washington's 7-0 victory over Georgia Tech before a Mewman Field-record crowd of 1,117.

The victory gave Washington (46-11) a two-game sweep of Tech (46-15) and its ninth-ever berth in the World Series, the first since 2007.

"It just gets tougher and tougher every year," said Washington coach Heather Tarr, who will be making her second World Series appearance as a head coach. "If Georgia Tech had not had a few key injuries, this might've been a different situation. Nevertheless, we're very proud and happy to represent Washington and the Pac 10."

Tech was missing shortstop Kelsi Weseman, but Washington dominated in the sweep, winning 7-1 and 7-0.

Lawrie hit home runs Sunday in the first and third innings, both times over the left-field fence off Tech freshman pitcher Jessica Coan (8-5). It was Lawrie's fifth and sixth homers of the season.

''She's a great player," Georgia Tech coach Sharon Perkins said. "It's pretty rare to have both there, to be able to be a stud pitcher and hitter, too."

Washington got two other home runs in the game — from Alicia Blake off Coan, and Ashlyn Watson off reliever Kristen Adkins — for its first four-homer game of the season.

Lawrie was dissatisfied with performance on the mound Saturday, saying she lacked command. But Sunday she was ahead of the count on 20 of 25 batters and threw 74 strikes against just 22 balls. She struck out eight.

"Mentally I was just in a better place," said Lawrie, who set a school record with her 37th victory of the season. "Getting up 2-0 in the first inning was huge. After that, I had to make a statement."

Tech got just two runners past first base — Christy Jones reached on error in the third but was thrown out attempting to steal third base by catcher Blake; and Tiffany Johnson was stranded at second in the seventh.

Washington will open play in the WCWS on Thursday against Georgia in Oklahoma City. The Huskies split two games with the Bulldogs this season, both by 2-0 scores.

Lawrie's competition for player of the year also will be in Oklahoma City. The other finalists are Florida pitcher Stacey Nelson and Arizona State outfielder Kaitlin Cochran.

"If they are smart enough to recognize how great she is, then she gets an award like that," Tarr said of Lawrie. "But I know where her eyes are set, and not much energy is focused on that award."