April 6, 2003
SEATTLE - A fifth-inning illegal pitch by No. 12-ranked Arizona State marked the only run scored in today?s Pac-10 match up against the No. 3-ranked Washington Huskies. The win improves Washington?s record to 34-5-1 overall and 3-3 in the Pac-10, while the Sun Devils drop to 26-12 overall and 3-3 in Pac-10 play.
The Huskies threatened in the third inning when Megan Owen led off with a double into the right centerfield gap. After a UW strikeout, third baseman Phelan Wright dove to her left to nab a hard hit ground ball by Dena Tyson and made the throw to first from her knees to get out of the jam and keep the game locked at 0-0.
Washington challenged reliever Desiree Serrano in the fifth frame and took advantage of an infield error sandwiched between a pair a walks to load the bases. Serrano was then called for an illegal pitch to Rita Roach, which brought home Owen for the game winner.
UW ace Tia Bollinger kept ASU in check, not allowing a runner past second base all day. She closed out the game by striking out the side to seal the Husky victory. Bollinger, who moves to 18-4 on the season, scattered five hits and fanned nine batters en route to her 24th complete game of the season.
Serrano (16-7) took the loss as she gave up two hits and three walks over 2.2 innings of work.
The Sun Devils return to action next week when they host No. 7 California on Friday (7 p.m.) and No. 13 Stanford on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.).