Feb. 16, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State freshman pitcher Desiree Serrano pitched her first career no-hitter as she propelled the Sun Devils softball team (11-3) to an 8-0 run rule win in five innings over Iowa in at the Louisville Slugger Classic Tournament. Serrano, who faced one batter over the minimum, was an infield error short of a perfect game as she struckout five Hawkeye's to record ASU's first no-hitter since Kirsten Voak accomplished the feat during ASU's opening game of the 2001 season (Feb. 9). In the second game against Utah State, Keri Pulcifer and Ashley Werschky each hit two home runs a piece, including a grand slam by Pulcifer to carry ASU to a 12-2 run rule game in six innings. The Devils won the tournament by going 5-0 during the three days.
Against Iowa, both teams were held scoreless until ASU's fourth inning when Kara Brun launched her first home run of the year, a solo shot over the left centerfield fence. The Devils then batted around and exploded for seven runs in the fifth to take the 8-0 lead. The highlight of the inning came off the bat of All-American Phelan Wright as she hit a grand slam to give her a team-leading seven home runs. Serrano then sat the Iowa order down in the fifth to preserve the no hitter and record her team-leading seventh win.
In the second game against Utah State, the Devils scored once in the first off of two wild pitches and a pass ball. In the second inning, Pulcifer and Werschky hit back-to-back home runs to move ASU a head 3-0. In the next inning with the bases loaded, Pulcifer again stepped to the plate and drilled her second home run that curved just inside the left field foul post to give her five RBIs in the game. In the ASU fifth, Werschky unloaded her second solo home run over the centerfield fence to make the score 8-0. However, Utah State would get two runs back in the fifth when Kelly Leos homered to centerfield off relief pitcher Susan Aguilar.
The Devils then scored four more runs in the sixth to end the game at 12-2. Pulcifer tallied her sixth RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly, while Kari Reidhead singled in two more runs. Werschky then came home on a wild pitch for the 12th run.
The Devils used 18 players and three pitchers in the game. Werschky (1-0) started, going three innings with only two hits for her first career win. Aguilar went the next two innings allowing two runs on two hits. Cheryl Evans finished the last inning, allowing one hit.
At the plate, Werschky went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Pulcifer went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and six RBIs. Wright and Reidhead also contributed with two hits.
Up next, the Devils will hit the road for the first time this season as they travel to Columbus, Georgia to compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic Tournament, February 21-23.
Complete Scores From The Louisville Slugger Tournament:
Friday, February 14
Iowa_3__vs._5__Illinois State (H)
(H) Iowa___vs.___Utah State (not played)
(H) Arizona State_4__vs.__1_Illinois State
(H) Arizona State___vs.___ Utah State (not played)
Saturday, February 15
Utah State__2_vs._3__Illinois State (H) (8)
(H) Utah State__0_vs.__9_Iowa (6)
(H) Arizona State__5_vs._1__Iowa
Arizona State_3__vs.__1_ Illinois State (H)
Sunday, February 16
(H) Iowa__o_vs.__1_Illinois State
Arizona State_8__vs._o__Iowa (H) (no hitter)
(H) Utah State_0__vs.__2_Illinois State
Arizona State_12__vs._2__Utah State (H) (6)