April 11, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - A two out bases loaded walk to Arizona State's Keri Pulcifer, scoring Phelan Wright from third was all the scoring that happened at Farrington Stadium Friday night as the 12th-ranked Sun Devils (27-12; 4-3 Pac-10) topped sixth-ranked California (34-10; 4-3 Pac-10), 1-0 and to move into a tie for third in the Pac-10 race.
California threatened first in the third inning. With one out, Kristen Morley was hit by a pitch by Arizona State starter Ashley Werschky (7-3). After a Vicky Galindo bunt to put two runners on, Wershcky got Cal's No. 2 hitter Lindsay James to strikeout. Courtney Scott then reached first on an infield error to load the bases for Veronica Nelson. After working the count, Nelson hit a ground out to second base to end the threat.
The Devils rang up the only run in the fourth inning. With one out, Kara Brun drew a walk from Cal starter Kelly Anderson (14-5). Wright then hit into a fielder's choice, but second baseman Eryn Manahan could not hold on to the throw coming from shortstop Chelsea Spencer as Brun was called safe at second. Cheryl Evans then stepped to the plate a singled to leftfield to load the bases. Carla Strege followed with another fielder's choice to Spencer, who made a nice stab at the ball and threw home to cut down Brun. Pulcifer then came into the game to pinch hit for Werschky and proceeded to run the count full. The next pitch was just up and outside as Pulcifer checked her swing, allowing Wright to come home for the winning margin.
ASU's Desiree Serrano entered the game in relief in the fifth inning for Werschky. Cal had another opportunity in the sixth, but Brun turned a double play to end the inning. In the seventh, Cal loaded the bases once again, but Serrano struck out Mikella Pedretti who had earlier replaced Nelson in the lineup.
Serrano posted her Pac-10 leading sixth save of the year as she worked the final three innings, allowing four hits with three strikeouts. Werschky went the first four innings, limiting the Bears to only three hits with three strikeouts. Anderson suffered the loss, allowing four hits and one unearned run with four walks and two strikeouts. Cal left 10 runners on base while ASU stranded six.
Up next, the Devils will host Stanford on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. which will be broadcast live on KAZ-TV.