March 20, 1999
FULLERTON, Calif. - After seven innings of scoreless softball, the fourth-ranked Huskies and seventh-ranked Southwestern Louisiana combined to score nine runs in five extra innings of play in the quarterfinals of the Kia Klassic. But despite a two-run homer by freshman Shannon Walsh in the eighth and two more runs in the top of the ninth, Washington could not put the Lady Cajuns away in the longest game in Husky history, falling 5-4 to drop to 21-5 heading into Pac-10 play.
The first seven innings was a pitcher's dual, with UW's Jennifer Spediacci and USL's Melissa Coronado allowing just three hits total and striking out 15. In extra innings, the last batter of the previous inning begins the next frame on second base. In the top of the eighth, Walsh blasted her fifth pitch well over the left field fence to give UW a 2-0 lead. But the Lady Cajuns answered with two runs of their own off two singles and two sacrifices.
The ninth frame saw the Huskies score two more runs. Senior Becky Newbry sent sophomore Kelly Hauxhurst home with a single to right center. Newbry then moved to third when junior Melissa Downs singled to the same place, and a passed ball allowed Newbry to score. But USL would not go away, scoring twice on an error and a passed ball.
The next two-and-a-half innings were scoreless, with both squads stranding a runner on third twice. Then a Husky error during the Cajuns' first at-bat in the bottom of the 12th inning allowed the winning run to cross the plate.
Spediacci pitched a one-hitter and struck out seven through seven innings before junior Jamie Graves relieved her.
After a single game against Ohio State on Monday at Cal State Fullerton, Washington opens at home with Pac-10 doubleheaders against No. 8 Stanford on Saturday at 11 a.m. and No. 14 Cal on Sunday at 1 p.m. Washington 000 000 022 000 4 5 3 Southeastern La. 000 000 022 001 5 5 1 Jennifer Spediacci, Jamie Graves (8) and Jeanine Giordano; Melissa Coronado and Kelli Bruce. WP-Coronado. LP-Graves (11-4). LOB-UW 5, USL 7. HR-UW: Walsh. |
