Mar. 24, 1998
FULLERTON, Calif.--The Washington softball team easily handled Marshall University in a doubleheader on Tuesday, downing the Thundering Herd 3-0 and 9-1 at Cal State Fullertons field. UW, ranked third in the nation, improves to 19-4 on the season and will face DePaul in a doubleheader tomorrow at noon before opening its home and Pac-10 schedule against Stanford on Saturday at 11 a.m. In the opener, sophomore pitcher Jamie Graves (7-1) threw her second no-hitter of the season, but for the second time this year spoiled a perfect game by hitting a batter. Still, she faced the minimum and struck out two. The Huskies got on the board in the second inning when freshman Kim DePaul walked, moved to second on a sacrifice by junior Becky Newbry, and came home off a shot by Graves. The fourth inning saw almost an identical run, with DePaul stealing second that time. Graves then was hit home by freshman Christie Rosenblad for the final run. Washingtons bats provided more action in the second game, collecting 12 hits and scoring in all but the second and third innings. Sophomore Rosie Leutzinger started the Huskies off, taking first on an error and stealing second. Freshman Kelly Hauxhurst helped Leutzinger to third before DePaul arrived on second via a walk and stolen base. Sophomore Jennifer Spediacci then collected two RBI off a single to right field. In the fourth inning, UW converted four hits into three runs, starting with sophomore Melissa Downs single that bounced past the short stop, followed by a single by junior Jami Nyblod. Freshmen Amber Engen and Denia Pisia stepped in to pinch run and both stole bases, setting up senior Leah Francis two-RBI double to right center field. Francis then crossed the plate off a double by Leutzinger. DePaul and junior Becky Newbry opened the fifth frame with a single and double, respectively, with Newbrys hit sending DePaul home after the freshman stole second. Sophomore Angela Bennett doubled while pinch hitting to score Newbry. The Huskies added two more runs in the sixth inning. Leutzinger singled and stole second before advancing to third off DePauls shot past short. Leutzinger then scored when the catcher dropped senior Eve Gaws third strike and threw her out at first. DePaul rounded the bases for the third time of the game off a single, a steal, and a hit by Spediacci. Although Marshall came back to score one run in the bottom of the sixth, the game was called after six because of the eight-run rule. Spediacci (8-2) picked up the win, pitching four innings and recording two strikeouts before being relieved by Gaw, who whiffed one batter. Game One Marshall 000 000 0 0 0 1 Washington 010 200 x 3 6 0 Tasha Johnson and Aimee Reiner; Jamie Graves and Jeanine Giordano. WP-Graves (7-1). LP-Johnson . Game Two Washington 200 322 x 9 12 0 Marshall 000 001 x 1 6 1 Jennifer Spediacci, Eve Gaw (5) and Melissa Downs; Sara Gulla, Michelle Boam (5) and Aimee Reiner. WP-Spediacci (8-2). LP-Sara Gulla. 2B-Leutzinger, Bennett, Francis; Reiner. |
