April 21, 1998
SEATTLE -- The fourth-ranked Washington softball team used consistent hitting, a near-perfect game on the mound and four errors by Simon Fraser to blank the Clans, 15-0, in a full seven-inning game on Tuesday at Husky Softball Stadium.
Despite leading 8-0 at the end of the fifth inning, the coaches opted to play out the game. UW finished with 13 hits, while senior Eve Gaw (6-1) allowed only one. The Huskies ran their winning streak to 10 and improved to 36-7 on the season, while SFU fell to 23-9.
The first inning saw the Dawgs explode for five runs, all of which came after the second out, off four hits while sending 10 batters to the plate. Sophomore Rosie Leutzinger was hit by the first pitch of the game and freshman Christie Rosenblad walked four pitches later before Gaw singled. Sophomore Erin Helgelands single up the left field line drove in Leutzinger and Rosenblad, and an ensuing error put Helgeland on second and helped Gaw cross home plate. Senior Leah Francis single sent Helgeland to third, setting up a double steal that scored Helgeland. Francis then crossed the plate on an error to end the first scoring barrage.
UW had three quiet innings before catching fire again in the fifth. Freshman Kim DePaul walked and stole second before junior Becky Newbry reached first on an error. Freshman Amber Engen walked to set up a three-RBI single down the right field line by sophomore Melissa Downs to put UW up 8-0.
Simon Frasers only hit of the day came in the sixth with two outs to spoil a no-hitter for Gaw, who went the distance for the sixth time this year and struck out nine batters. In the bottom of the frame, the Huskies sent 13 batters to the plate and scored seven more runs to tie their most productive inning this season.
Freshmen Michelle Yarbrough and Denia Pisa walked to lead off the frame, but sophomore Jennifer Spediaccis single hit Pisia on her way to second for the out. Gaw then sent her fifth ball of the season over the left field wall for a three-run homer. Newbry, Helgeland and sophomore Angela Bennett hit consecutive singles to load the bases, setting up Downs one-RBI walk. Freshman Kelly Hauxhurst singled and Downs scored on an error before a Spediacci hit sent pinch runner Amber Lunzer home for the final score.
Simon Fraser 000 000 0 -- 0 1 4 Washington 500 037 x -- 15 13 0 Kathy Iggulden, Kristi Jamieson (6) and Sandi Osborne; Eve Gaw and Jeanine Giordano, Melissa Downs (4). WP-Gaw (6-1). LP-Iggulden (18-7). HR-UW, Gaw. |
