March 7, 2003
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Freshman pitcher Desiree Serrano (11-4) allowed only one run on three hits, while striking out nine Broncos as she carried the 10th-ranked Arizona State softball team (19-6) to a 2-1 win over Santa Clara to win Pool B at the National Invitational Softball Tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif. on Friday.
As in the earlier game against Virginia Tech, the Sun Devils opened up the scoring in the first inning. With one out, Kristin Farber singled to left field and then scored when Kara Brun drilled a double to left centerfield. Serrano and Santa Clara's Jamie Forman-Lau kept the other team at bay as they combined to strikeout 20 batters.
The Devils took a 2-0 in the fifth inning off two Bronco errors on a bizarre play. Jen McCard opened the inning with a bunt single. Jennifer Forner then reached on an error by Forman-Lau when she tried to throw out Forner at first on a ground ball, but her throw short hopped first base, allowing McCard to advance to third and Forner to second. Farber then hit into a fielder's choice to the shortstop, who then fired the ball home, cutting down McCard at the plate. However, Bronco catcher Roni Rivera then lost the grip on the ball as she tied to throw it back to the pitcher and it went into an open gap at shortstop, allowing Forner to round third and score.
Santa Clara cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth off of a solo home run by Tracie Hall, but the Broncos could not push across another run as Serrano ended the game.
Up next, the Devils will play 17th-ranked Oregon State on Saturday in championship bracket play at 12:00 p.m. If the Devils win they will play in the semifinals at 4:00 p.m. for a spot in the championship game on Sunday, but if they lose they will play again at 2:00 p.m. in the consolation bracket.