Feb. 22, 2004
Iowa Box Score | Utah St. Box Score
TEMPE, Ariz. - The 22nd-ranked Arizona State softball team (15-6) set a modern day record as they scored 24 runs, including 12 in one inning as they blanked Utah State 24-0. The Sun Devils also shutout 18th-ranked Iowa, 3-0 earlier in today's tournament to claim the Louisville Slugger Classic title at Farrington Stadium.
ASU pounded out 22 hits, including five home runs with a grand slam from Billie Akauola. Phelan Wright drilled a pair of home runs and Himmita Hixson hit her first career home run. Wright finished the day 5-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles, four runs scored and eight RBIs.
The Devils put four runs up in the first inning against the Aggies, three from Wright's first home run of the game. Kristin Crenshaw singled in the other run. In the 12 run second, Wright, Hixson and Pulcifer each singled in one run. Then Kim Zadrozny pinch hit and promptly drilled a bases clearing three-run double off the centerfield fence to make it a 10-0 lead. Trisha Tornberg followed next with a two-run home run over the centerfield fence, and then Wright nailed her second home run of the game, a two-run shot also over the centerfield fence. Hixson then ended the scoring with another two-run home run to left center.
Arizona State tallied six more runs in the third inning, four coming from a grand slam off Akauola's bat. Valerie Sevilla then added another RBI double in the fourth inning and Wright also doubled in another run. Sevilla continued with her hot bat as she ended the game going 3-for-3 with two doubles, four runs scored and two RBIs.
Desiree Serrano (8-0) started the game and pitched the first three innings, allowing four hits with two strikeouts. Bre DeSanta finished the final two innings with no hits and three strikeouts. Utah State used four pitchers as starter Jill Bruins lasted only two-thirds of an inning.
In the earlier game against Iowa, DeSanta and Serrano teamed up again to shutout the Hawkeyes on five hits. This time DeSanta (4-3) started the game and went five innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts. Serrano then came in for her first save of the year as she pitched the final two innings with two strikeouts.
ASU scored single runs in the third, fourth and seventh innings to seal the win. Hixson singled home the first run in the third, and then Sevilla add a solo home run in the fourth for the 2-0 advantage. Heidi Knabe then led off the seventh inning with a solo home run as well to end the game at 3-0.
Up next, the Devils will hit the road for the first time this season as they head to Columbus, Georgia to compete in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, Friday, February 27 through Sunday, February 29. ASU will open against Fresno State at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern).
2004 LOUISVILLE SLUGGER CLASSIC GAME RESULTS
TEMPE, ARIZONA (FARRINGTON STADIUM)
Sunday, February 22
(H) Wisconsin_8_vs._0_Illinois State (5)
Arizona State_3_vs._0_Iowa (H)
(H) Arizona State_24_vs._0_Utah State (5)