May 23, 1999

Box Score

NCAA Region 2 Softball - Sunday, May 23, 1999
(University of Arizona host)
Hillenbrand Stadium

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Becky Lemke's one-hit shutout and some hitting by Lauren Bauer helped pace Arizona to an 8-0, five-inning, victory over Maryland and its 12th consecutive NCAA Regional title and berth in the College World Series.

Sarah Putnam's pinch-hit chop single off Toni Mascarenas's glove with two outs in the bottom of the fifth was Maryland's only hit off Lemke.

Bauer's grand slam punctuated the Wildcat's five-run second inning as Arizona (52-14) earned its 12th consecutive College World Series berth with an 8-0 victory over Maryland (51-23).

Bauer drove in 13 runs in the Regional behind two home runs among 12 hits in 19 at bats.

UA pitcher/first baseman Jennie Finch pitched a no-hitter, one hitter and two-hitters to earn All-Region Most Valuable Player honors.

Arizona, which had lost 7-3 to Maryland in third-round action, had to win both games against the Terps Sunday to earn its CWS bid.

UA took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Toni Mascarenas walked and scored on Jennie Finch's double to left-center.

In the Cats' third, Felecity Willis' solo home run to left pushed the lead to 7-0.

Lemke improved her record to 28-7. She had taken the loss to Maryland on Saturday afternoon. Kelly Shipman (32-15), who had beaten UA in the third round, took the losses in both Sunday games.

Maryland's best chance for a score came in the third. Lemke hit two batters and walked a hitter to load the bases with one out, but shortstop Felecity Willis turned an unassisted double play to end the threat.

All-Region 2 Team
Isonette Polonius, East Carolina
Jenny Oermann, Southeast Missouri State
Shelly Musser, Kansas
Shannon Stanwix, Kansas
Sarah Putnam, Maryland
Cortney Medea, Maryland
Kelly Shipman, Maryland
Lauren Bauer, Arizona
Nicole Giordano, Arizona
Jennie Finch, Arizona
Becky Lemke, Arizona
Katie Swan, Arizona