Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Arkansas
Softball Eliminates Arkansas at NCAA Regional, 5-0
5/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 20, 2000
NORMAN, OKLA. - Northwestern softball stayed alive at the NCAA Regionals with a 5-0 victory over Arkansas on Saturday afternoon, eliminating the Razorbacks. The Wildcats advance to face Oregon State later today with the winner advancing to the regional final against Oklahoma tomorrow.
Northwestern got on the board in the second inning. Brooke Siebel (Brentwood, Tenn.) opened the inning by reaching on an error. Tami Jones (West Hills, Calif.) sacrificed her to second and Siebel moved to third on a single by Jenn Shull (San Jose, Calif.). Alyson Schulz (San Diego, Calif.) came through with an RBI-ground out, scoring Siebel and giving Northwestern a 1-0 lead. Arkansas threatened in the fourth but were rebuffed by the NU defense. With two outs and a runner on second, Tiffany Wooley lined a single into rightfield. Brett Nakabayashi (Irvine, Calif.) came up throwing and nailed Jen Eiben at the plate to preserve the lead.
The Cats added two insurance runs in the sixth. Nakabayashi opened the inning with a single to right and, after being sacrificed to second, stole third. Erin Jancic (Houston, Texas) drove a double to the right-centerfield gap to score Nakabayashi and give Northwestern a 2-0 lead. One out later, Jones lined a single up the middle. Jancic was held at third as the throw from the outfield came home. Jones attempted to advance to second and the catcher's throw sailed into centerfield, allowing Jancic to score NU's third run.
Northwestern put the game away in the seventh on a two-run home run from Gretchen Barnes (Flossmoor, Ill.). Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif.) went the distance, scattering nine hits and striking out nine to win her 20th game of the season.
Northwestern advances to face Oregon State this afternoon at 5 p.m.
