May 27, 1999
OKLAHOMA CITY - UW's Erin Helgeland knocked a two-out double down the left field line in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Washington softball team a chance to break open a scoreless game, and UW scored twice more in the inning before holding off the Sun Devils in the seventh and win its first game of the Women's College World Series. With the 4-1 win, the Huskies improve to 49-17 on the season and will face the Arizona/California winner at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. Washington, winner of its last six outings, is now 25-9 all-time in postseason play and 9-5 in the College World Series. Junior Jennifer Spediacci earned the win, relieving junior Jamie Graves in the fourth inning, and improves to 22-8 on the season and 7-0 in postseason play. ASU's Kirsten Voak held the Huskies to two hits through the first five innings before the three-hit sixth frame. Senior Becky Newbry reached first on an error and stole second during junior Melissa Downs' at-bat, who then was intentionally walked. A passed ball helped both move up a base before Helgeland's timely shot to left field, which came with two outs and two strikes against her. She then came home on a single to center field by sophomore Christie Rosenblad, who was hit home by Graves' double to center. Graves' hit was her four in postseason play after just nine in the regular season. The Sun Devils then used two hits and two sacrifices to score a run in the seventh but could not match the Huskies' score. Arizona State will play the loser of the Arizona/California game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. "Well, Pac-10, round two," said UW head coach Teresa Wilson. "It was an incredible game. Voak threw a great game for ASU, but I am really proud of our girls. Our team has been doing a great job adjusting to the game no matter how long it takes. We knew that it was going to be a close game."
Women's College World Series-Game 3Arizona State 000 000 1 - 1 5 2 Washington 000 004 x - 4 5 2 |
