May 20, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Host Arizona State staved off elimination from the NCAA Region 5 Softball Championships in dramatic fashion Saturday night, defeating Coastal Carolina 2-1 at Farrington Stadium. The victory puts ASU at 43-19 and ties a school record for most wins in a season.
The Sun Devils rallied for two runs to take the lead and cap the win in the top of the seventh inning. Centerfielder Nicole Thompson singled up the middle and scored on shortstop Kara Brun's double to right field. Sophomore starting pitcher Erica Beach singled to center field scoring Brun.
"It was getting a little late. I don't know if I'd say [I was] never worried, but I certainly also thought we were capable of getting two," ASU Head Coach Linda Wells said I didn't know Kara [Brun] was going to hit it quite that hard. She's been on a tear, and it obviously saved this evening."
ASU got six strong innings from Beach who earned her 12th win. Beach gave up only one run on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Kirsten Voak got her second save after pitching the final inning allowing one hit and striking out two.
With the win the Sun Devils take on Alabama Sunday at 1 p.m. ASU must defeat the Crimson Tide twice to advance to the College World Series.
ASU was led by Thompson, who was 2-for-4 with one run scored. Brun, Beach, catcher Andrea Rodgers, leftfielder Jen Langenhuizen and rightfielder Jamie Hlebechuk had one hit apiece.
Coastal Carolina's only run came in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Sara Thompson singled to right field and scored on first baseman Holly Lee's single to right field.
Chants starting pitcher Lauren Yates gave up ASU's two runs and allowed seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Coastal Carolina ends their season with a record of 37-28.