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UA 34-game win streak snapped by Washington

Playing in their 10th game in nine days, a tired UA softball team lost to the Washington Huskies in the championship game of the Kia Klassic Tournament on Sunday.

Winning by a score of 6-1, the No. 1 Huskies ended No. 2 Arizona's 34-game win streak, which was the longest in the nation.

"We ran into a good Washington team," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "We played nine games this week and this was our sixth tournament (of the season) and I think our kids were a little tired, but I am not going to use that as an excuse."

The Huskies (31-1) controlled the game from the onset as a two-run homer by freshman Jamie Clark and junior Kelly Hauxhurt's RBI double led to a crucial three-run second inning.

"We had no offense, it is not an excuse but we were so tired," junior catcher Lindsey Collins said.

Senior pitcher Jennifer Spediacci pitched a five-hitter and only allowed one earned run, while shutting down the UA offense.

Arizona (35-2) had trouble all tournament finding its rhythm offensively, but was still able to defeat Louisiana-Monroe 3-0, No. 9 Cal-State Fullerton 6-0, No. 22 Hawaii 1-0, UNLV 4-0 and Notre Dame in the semi-finals by a score of 6-3.

"I thought we found a way to win, we definitely weren't hitting on all cylinders," Candrea said. "Our pitching was very, very outstanding."

Aside from the Washington game, sophomore pitcher Jennie Finch and junior pitcher Becky Lemke dominated opposing hitters.

Lemke had a one-hitter against the Titans, which included 10 strikeouts and Finch threw a two-hitter in a shutout performance against the Running Rebels.

Finch and Lemke also threw gems against No. 7 Fresno State on March 14 in an important doubleheader in Fresno, Calif.

"Those two games were exhausting," Collins said. "Our team knew we were good but those two games proved how good we are."

In the first game Lemke threw a two-hitter while Collins hit an RBI and Finch had an RBI single in fifth inning to give Arizona a 2-0 victory.

In the following game, the Wildcats pulled out a 3-1 victory behind RBIs from junior third baseman Toni Mascarenas and junior Lauren Bauer.

On March 11, UA swept BYU in a doubleheader in Tucson 2-0 and 10-0 to start their treacherous stretch of games.

Candrea, though, is relieved that the Wildcats have some time off to rest.

"I think the best thing for this group is to take a couple days off and get rested for Pac-10 play," he said.