May 18, 2002

Box Score

Minneapolis, Minn-- Arizona softball and DePaul played an eleven-inning pitching dual, in game nine of the NCAA Region Championships, held at the Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on Saturday, May 18. The Wildcats move on to play in the championship game, while the DePaul Blue Demons play again in the next game against host institution, Minnesota, for game 10.

Through ten innings, only one batter from either team had reached third base. Then, with the game in top of the eleventh inning, Arizona's sophomore catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest hit a double to bring Carrie Hagen home from second. Arizona got runners to second and third with one out remaining, when senior Meaghan Finnerty hit a single to bring Vandergeest home and put the Wildcats on top 2-0.

DePaul's Kukman advanced to second to threaten Arizona in the bottom of the eleventh inning, but a ground out by Sarah Martz ended the game, Arizona 2, DePaul 0.

In the fierce pitching dual that paced the game, DePaul's pitcher Lindsay Chouinard did not allow an earned run in 44 and 1/3 innings. She had 25 and 1/3 scoreless innings until the top of the eleventh inning. Pitcher Jennie Finch allowed four hits, no runs, nine strikeouts, upping her record to 30-4 on the season. Arizona will play the winner of game 10 between DePaul and Minnesota at 12 noon CT on Sunday, May 19.