SOFTBALL: Local alumni help UC San Diego capture NCAA Division II title

UC San Diego defeated top-seeded Alabama-Huntsville 10-3 in the NCAA Division II softball championship game Monday in Salem, Va., to capture the program's first national title and the school's first crown in any sport since a women's soccer championship in 2001.

Led by local graduates Jenn De Fazio (Simi Valley), Kris Lesovsky (Royal) and Jennifer Manuel (Camarillo), UC San Diego (45-13) scored all 10 runs in the first three innings in support of junior pitcher Camille Gaito (35-4), who pitched six shutout innings before Alabama-Huntsville (48-6-1) scored three runs in the seventh.

De Fazio, a senior catcher, finished hitting .331 with 25 runs and 33 RBIs, going 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI in the final which followed a solo home run against Saginaw Valley State in Sunday's 2-1 semifinal victory.

Lesovsky, a senior outfielder and the Tritons' leadoff hitter, concluded with a .305 average, along with 46 runs, six home runs and 26 RBIs. Lesovsky walked and scored twice in the final.

Manuel, a freshman pitcher/utility, hit .333 in 28 games, along with posting a 3-4 record in 13 appearances. She pinch hit in Sunday's semifinal victory, but did not appear in the final.