May 2, 1999

Stanford, Calif. - The Stanford University Softball team split a doubleheader with third-ranked Arizona in a Pac-10 doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at the Stanford Softball Complex. Arizona took game one by a 3-1 score, but the #15 Cardinal responded to win game two by a 1-0 decision. Though Stanford lost the first game, it was a day to remember as Stanford defeated Arizona for the the first time ever and later saluted the 1999 Seniors after the final home game of the year. Stanford's record is now 38-19 overall, 8-14 in the Pac-10, while Arizona drops to 42-12, 14-8 in the Pac-10.

In the first game, Arizona took the lead with two runs in the first inning. With two outs and a runner on second base, freshman Jennie Finch hit a two-run home run. The Wildcats later added an insurance run in the fourth inning on a solo home run by catcher Lindsey Collins to make the score 3-0. Late in the game Stanford threatened by puting the first two runners on in the seventh inning. Arizona pitcher Becky Lemke, however, hung on for the victory as she retired the next three Stanford batters to preserve the win.

Game two saw a pitcher's battle as both teams struggled to score a run. The game was scoreless going into the fifth inning, but that's when the Cardinal broke through with the game-winning run. With one out, Ramona Shelburne moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kellie Wiginton and then scored 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 seventh inning, 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 of her career.

Stanford returns to action next weekend when the Cardinal travels to 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 Fox Sports Net. Please check your local listings for exact time and channel. Stanford will then play Oregon State in games on Sunday, May 9th. The first game of both twin bills will begin at 1:00 pm.