Feb. 16, 2003

TUCSON - The Northwestern Wildcats rallied in the late innings to stop Florida International's bid for a first victory in four chances at the Pepsi Arizona Softball Classic Sunday, 5-3.

FIU had a 3-0 lead after three innings on an RBI single by Amber Gill in the second and a two-run home run by Marleah Stapf in the third.

NWU cut into the lead in the fourth with a leadoff tripleby Erin Mobley and a sacrifice fly by Carri Leto.

Otherwise held in check on four hits by FIU pitchers Nicole Barrett and Amanda Neater, Northwestern then pushed scross two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, and knocked Neater out of the game with a decisive two-run home run by Ashley Crane.

Northwestern improved to 5-3 and were 2-1 in the tournament while the Golden Panthers dropped to 4-11 and 0-4 in the tourney.