May 11, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The fourth-ranked Arizona State softball team (40-18, 10-11 Pac-10) ended the regular season by dropping both ends of a doubleheader to top-ranked UCLA (50-6, 18-3 Pac-10) today at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. UCLA took the opening game of the twinbill by a 4-1 margin, and came back in the nightcap to win 6-1.
The Bruins opened the offense in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Tairia Mims. In the third, Mims added another run, hitting her 11th home run of the season from the lead-off spot in the third inning. Stephanie Ramos answered later in the frame with a two-run shot of her own, giving UCLA a 4-0 lead after three complete.
ASU posted a run of its own in the fourth on an RBI single by Erin Wardein, but it was not enough, as UCLA took the opening game of the doubleheader by a 4-1 margin.
Game two had a rocky start for the Sun Devils, as UCLA loaded the bases on a walk to Natasha Watley, a single by Amanda Freed, and an intentional walk to Stacey Nuveman, bringing Claire Sua to the plate. Sua delivered, hitting her third career first-inning grand slam at Easton Stadium, giving the Bruins a 4-0 lead after one inning.
In the sixth, UCLA added two more runs on a rally started by senior Casey Hiraiwa, who entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the third inning. Hiraiwa put a line drive into right field as the lead-off hitter in the inning, and would eventually score on an RBI single by Monique Mejia. Freed's sacrifice fly gave UCLA its final run and a 6-0 lead. The Sun Devils did add a run in the seventh, but pitcher Keira Goerl earned her 28th victory of the season, striking out five on the day.
Up next, Arizona State will watch the NCAA selection on Sunday at 6:00 p.m. on ESPNEWS. At that time, ASU will find out where they will be playing next Thursday for regionals.