Notes from Husky Softball Championship Game Softball has won at least 50 games in past five seasons.
May 31, 1999
WASHINGTON HUSKY SOFTBALL NOTES
Washington series with Cal is an even 15-15, with the Huskies having a 2-1 edge this season. Washington defeated the Bears in Seattle, 2-1 in eight innings, before the second game was suspended indefinitely in the seventh inning of a scoreless game because of rain. That game was never completed because the result had no bearing on the conference title. In Berkeley, the teams split, with Cal taking the first, 7-0, and the Huskies coming back to win the second, 2-0. Box scores of those three games can be found in the Washington postseason supplement.
Senior Becky Newbry, after walking on to the team as a freshman, becomes the first Husky three-time All-American. She was third-team at-large honoree as a freshman, was a second-team at-large selection as a sophomore, and garnered first-team honors this season playing right field. She also is the first Husky to play in the College World Series all four years of her career.
Washington has won at least 50 games in the past five seasons, just two less than the number of seasons the program has been in existence.
1995: 50-23. 1996: 59-9. 1997: 50-19. 1998: 52-17. 1999: 50-17
Junior Jennifer Spediacci is undefeated her postseason career with an 8-0 mark in 69 innings pitched (72 strikeouts, 32 hits).
Both of UW's game-winning rallies in the College World Series this year have come with two outs. Against Arizona State, junior Erin Helgeland doubled with two outs and a 1-2 count in the sixth inning to drive in senior Becky Newbry and junior Melissa Downs. Sophomore Christie Rosenblad followed that with a single, also facing a 1-2 count. Against Arizona, freshman Shannon Walsh walked with two outs on a full count, and junior Rosie Leutzinger and sophomore Kelly Hauxhurst both doubled to put UW up 2-0 in the fourth frame.
Junior Jennifer Spediacci's win over Arizona on Friday was the second time this season she has shut out the Wildcats. In Tucson on Apr. 11, the Huskies run-ruled Arizona for the second straight year, winning 9-0 in six innings.
Washington's four doubles Friday against Arizona tied a WCWS record for team doubles in a game, also held by Cal State Fullerton.
UW is now 26-9 all-time in the NCAA tournament, including 10-5 in the College World Series and 16-4 in regional play.
The Huskies have won their first two games in the College World Series in three of their four times here. Last season was the exception, as Arizona handed UW an 8-0 loss on the second day. UW, after downing Nebraska, then entered semifinal play needed to defeat Fresno State twice to advance to the title game. Washington won the first game, 3-1, but five errors in the second game gave Fresno State the 6-1 win and a trip to the finals.
