SEATTLE – For the 15th time in program history, the Washington Huskies will take a trip to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series after shutting out Louisiana, 2-0, to claim the NCAA Seattle Super Regional on Saturday.
 
Of the 15 Women's College World Series appearances for Washington, eight have come under head coach Heather Tarr.
 
For the second day running, the Dawgs got a gem out of its pitching staff to keep the dangerous Ragin' Cajuns at bay.
 
Lindsay Lopez picked up her 13th win of the campaign after delivering six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, while Friday's winning pitcher, Ruby Meylan, locked down her seventh save to tie the single season program record.
 
The Huskies struggled to get much going offensively off of Louisiana hurler Meghan Schorman, with Schorman and Lopez trading zeroes back and forth through the game's first five innings.
 
When Washington needed an offensive spark, it turned to the core group of fifth years that have come through time and again throughout their careers in Purple and Gold.
 
With one out on the board in the sixth, Baylee Klingler roped a double into the right-center gap. Klingler was promptly replaced on the bases by Avery Hobson, who moved up to third on Sami Reynolds' infield single. With the lead run on third, Madison Huskey delivered a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Hobson to put U Dub ahead.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns threatened to strike back in the bottom half, putting a runner on second with one out. Instead, Lopez stiffened, inducing a pair of flyouts to keep the shutout intact.
 
Another veteran got things started in the seventh as Kelley Lynch opened the frame with a single into left. Lynch gave way to the lightning quick Brooklyn Carter and the move would pay dividends.
 
A grounder and a passed ball moved Carter within striking distance 60 feet away. With two outs on the board and the Cajuns threatening to escape, Carter gambled on a return throw from Sophie Piskos back to the circle and took off, sliding under the tag at the plate for an exhilarating steal of home.
 
With two runs to the good, Tarr made the call to the bullpen and Meylan, who summarily extinguished any hope of a Louisiana comeback. After collecting a pair of quick outs, the true freshman fanned Laney Credeur and was mobbed by her teammates in celebration.
 
Washington will await Sunday's results to find out its schedule in OKC, with updates being posted to GoHuskies.com and the Washington Softball social media channels. The 2023 Women's College World Series begins Thursday, June 1, at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.

OKC bound! 🐺

No. 7 @UWSoftball holds out against Louisiana 2-0 to reach the WCWS for the 15th time. #Pac12SB | #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/HpZCcaqivp

— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) May 28, 2023