"The way to describe her is winner. She is a winner. That's why it's been hard to not win a national championship with her on the team. It took until this year."
Stanford made its third straight appearance in the national title game after losing the previous two, 1-0.
— From staff reports
*
Lavery earns card
UC Irvine men's golf alumnus Mike Lavery earned his Nationwide Tour card for 2012 after shooting a four-under 68 Monday in the last round of the PGA Tour Qualifying School's final stage.
Lavery, who played the Stadium Course Monday, finished 54th overall with a six-round total of 428.
Lavery, who played at UCI from 1999-2003, won the 2003 Big West Conference individual title and was a three-time All-Big West honoree.
Two other Anteater alums, John Chin and Sean Shahi, earned conditional status on the Nationwide Tour.
Chin shot a one-over 73 Monday on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to finish 82nd at one-under 431, just one shot away from earning full-time status on the Nationwide Tour.
Shahi, who shot a 79 Monday on the Stadium Course, placed 159th at 460.
— From staff reports
*
'Eaters sign eight
Five pitchers, two outfielders and one middle infielder make up the eight-player 2012 recruiting class that has signed national letters of intent with UC Irvine baseball.
Tyler Brashears, a right-hander and senior at El Toro High, has earned All-American honors and was the Co-MVP of the South Coast League as a junior. In two varsity seasons, he is a combined 18-5 with four saves and has a 1.51 earned-run average in 154 2/3 innings. He has 145 strikeouts and 37 walks in two seasons and won 11 of 13 decisions as a junior.
"[Brashears] has dominated for two years with advanced command of two pitches and we're confident that he will make an immediate impact at UCI," UCI Coach Mike Gillespie said in a statement. "He will compete immediately to be a weekend starter and is the quality of pitcher who could anchor a great staff for four years."
Josh Bornstein, a 6-5 right-hander and senior at El Segundo High, has a combined 2.39 ERA in two varsity seasons, spanning 102 1/3 innings. He is 12-6 during that time with 81 strikeouts, 53 walks and 87 hits allowed.
Gillespie said Bornstein is polished who is still expected to grow and develop.
