March 1, 2003

TUCSON - Arizona clouted four home runs to back up one-hit pitching by Wendy Allen and run-ruled Northern Iowa, 8-0, in UA's own Hillenbrand Invitational softball tournament Saturday afternoon.

The long balls gave UA 10 home runs in its last two games. Allen struck out seven in the five-inning game. She gave up only a single to Stephanie Stratton to open the game.

Three home runs punctuated a six-run second for the Cats. Mackenzie Vandergeest led off with her sixth home run of the season. Jackie Coburn singled to right, then Wendy Allen ripped a single off the first baseman's glove. A sacrifice fly by Erin Palomarez brought in Coburn, then Lisha Ribellia knocked her second homer of the year to make it 4-0. Autumn Champion reached on an error and Courtney Fossatti pulled her second home run in as many games to rightfield.

Vandergeest led off the UA third with a single and Coburn ripped an opposite-field homer, her sixth, inside the right-field foul pole to make it 8-0.

UNI will play the Dutch National Team at 10 a.m. Sunday in the third-place game of the tourney.