Feb. 13, 1998 SEATTLE--The third-ranked Washington softball team opened its 1998 season with two wins at the Coca-Cola Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. The Huskies scored a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Texas Longhorns on Friday afternoon and then defeated No. 12 Massachusetts 2-1 later in the afternoon. After three scoreless innings, the Longhorns, who received votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Preseason Poll, scored twice. Sophomore pitcher Christa Williams reached first on a fielders choice and advanced to third on an infield error, and then Trisha Tatro then earned the RBI on another error. Kat Richter then knocked in Keely Franks before the Husky pitcher Jennifer Spediacci ended the inning with a strikeout. Washington finally got on the board in the sixth. Sophomore Rosie Leutzinger started the inning slapping to first and stealing second. Freshman Kim DePaul doubled Leutzinger home and then was doubled home by sophomore Jamie Graves to even the game. The Huskies held the Longhorns at bay in their final two at bats, and junior Jeanine Giordano knocked a ball over the fence down the left field line in the top of the seventh for the go-ahead run. Sophomore Jennifer Spediacci pitched a complete game, giving up four hits and striking out five batters. UTs Christa Williams, a transfer from UCLA who handed UW its final loss last season in the College World Series, got the loss. She allowed six hits and struck out 12. In the second game against the Minutewomen, it was Washington who jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third frame. The first was a repeat of the first run of the season, with DePaul doubling Leutzinger home. Senior Eve Gaw then hit a single down the left field line to bring DePaul in from third. UW pitcher Jamie Graves gave up a home run to Nicole Faessler in the next inning for UMass only score. Game One Washington 000 002 1 -- 3 6 3 Texas 000 200 0 -- 2 4 2 Jennifer Spediacci and Jeanine Giordano. Christa Williams and Kat Richter. WP-Jennifer Spediacci (1-0). LP-Christa Williams (4-1). HR-Jeanine Giordano. 2B-Jamie Graves, Kim DePaul. Game Two Washington 002 000 0 -- 2 4 1 Massachusetts 000 100 0 -- 1 4 2 Jamie Graves and Jeanine Giordano. Danielle Henderson and Kelly Buckley. WP-Jamie Graves (1-0). LP-Danielle Henderson (0-1). HR- Nicole Faessler. 2B-Kim DePaul. |
