May 2, 1999
Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford University Softball team split a doubleheaderwith third-ranked Arizona in a Pac-10 doubleheader on Sunday afternoon atthe Stanford Softball Complex. Arizona took game one by a3-1 score, but the #15 Cardinal responded to win game two by a 1-0decision. Though Stanford lost the first game, it was a day to remember asStanford defeated Arizona for the the first time ever and later saluted the1999 Seniors after the final home game of the year. Stanford's record isnow 38-19 overall, 8-14 in the Pac-10, while Arizona drops to 42-12, 14-8in the Pac-10.
In the first game, Arizona took the lead with two runs in the firstinning. With two outs and a runner on second base, freshman Jennie Finchhit a two-run home run. The Wildcats later added an insurance run in thefourth inning on a solo home run by catcher Lindsey Collins to make thescore 3-0. Late in the game Stanford threatened by puting the first tworunners on in the seventh inning. Arizona pitcher Becky Lemke, however,hung on for the victory as she retired the next three Stanford batters topreserve the win.
Game two saw a pitcher's battle as both teams struggled to score arun. The game was scoreless going into the fifth inning, but that's whenthe Cardinal broke through with the game-winning run. With one out, RamonaShelburne moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kellie Wiginton and thenscored on a double down the left field line by senior Michelle Schneider.Arizona later threatened as it put runners on in both the sixth and seventhinning, but failed to push the tying run across. Senior Becky Blevins(18-9) picked up the win for the Cardinal as she tossed the 35th shutout ofher career.
Stanford returns to action next weekend when the Cardinal travelsto face the Oregon schools in Pac-10 doubleheaders. On Saturday, May 8th,Stanford will face #18 Oregon in a game that will be televised on FoxSports Net. Please check your local listings for exact time and channel.Stanford will then play Oregon State in games on Sunday, May 9th. The firstgame of both twin bills will begin at 1:00 pm.