Feb. 18, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. - The ninth-ranked Arizona State softball team (8-0) picked up two wins at today's Louisville Slugger Classic Tournament at Farrington Stadium. In the opener, the Sun Devils defeated Eastern Illinois (0-2), 12-1 and shutout Illinois State (0-2), 2-0 in the night cap.
In the second game against Illinois State, sophomore pitcher Erica Beach (4-0) was one out away from a no-hitter in the seventh inning when she gave up a single to Krista O'Hanian into rightfield. However, the no-hitter was almost preserved as O'Hanian was nearly thrown out at first by right fielder Jamie Hlebechuk.
In all, Beach limited the Redbirds to the lone hit, walking one, while striking out four. The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when Hlebechuk doubled in third baseman Stacey Farnworth from first. Missy Hixon then smash a double of her own to drive in Hlebechuk for the second and last run. Seven different ASU players contributed with one hit.
In the opening game, Head Coach Linda Wells earned her 350th ASU win as the Sun Devils pounded out 12 runs on 13 hits to defeated Eastern Illinois.
In the first inning, sophomore first baseman Erin Wardein cracked her first homerun of the year, a three-run shot over the leftfield wall. Freshman shortstop Kara Brun also hit a homerun, her team-leading third of the season. Wardein and Brun collected six RBIs together. Sophomore pitcher Kirsten Voak (4-0) allowed only five hits and one unearned run, while striking out seven. Voak also went 3 for 5 at the plate with two doubles and a run scored. Nicole Thompson also had a good game, going 2 for 3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
Up next, Arizona State will face 17th-ranked Michigan State and 25th-ranked Iowa tomorrow at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. respectively.