Feb. 27, 2004
Fresno St. Box Score | Princeton Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The 18th-ranked Arizona State softball team (15-8) dropped both of their pool games Friday in Columbus, Georgia at the NFCA Leadoff Classic Tournament, falling 2-0 to No. 16 Fresno State and being upset by Princeton, 3-1.
In the first game against Fresno State, the Devils looked to take the early lead in the top of the first off Bulldog pitcher Jamie Southern. Kristin Farber opened the frame with a single to left field and was then sacrificed to second by Valerie Sevilla. Phelan Wright worked a walk for two on, but then Heidi Knabe lined her ball right back to the third baseman who then doubled up Farber off second to end the inning.
In the third inning, Fresno State collected both of their runs off three hits and one Sun Devil error. Kristy Villasenor hit an infield single to start the inning, then Christina Clark put down a bunt to move Villasenor to second, but first baseman Sharee Zaleski bobbled the ball allowing Clark to get to first. After Arizona State starting pitcher Desiree Serrano struck out Southern, Lori Hoffman singled to right field to drive in the first run. After getting the second out, Porsha Finley hit a dribbler into shallow right field to plate the second run.
The Devils had one more good scoring chance in the fifth inning. With one out, Zaleski reached on an error by the right fielder, then Trisha Tornberg followed with a single to left field. Farber then put down a beautiful bunt and appeared to beat it out, but was called out on the play. However, she did move the runners to second and third. Sevilla then struck out to end the threat. Wright opened the sixth inning with a double off the fence, but ASU was unable to move her around. In all, ASU stranded six runners.
Serrano (8-1) pitched the first three innings, allowing four hits and two unearned runs with three strikeouts. Bre DeSanta finished the last three innings and did not give up a hit with four strikeouts. Southern went the distance for Fresno State, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts.
Against Princeton, Serrano suffered another tough loss, allowing only one hit with 11 strikeouts. ASU scored its lone run in the first inning. Farber singled up the middle and then stole second base. Wright followed with a single to left to drive in Farber, but that was all the Devils would score as Princeton pitcher Erin Snyder allowed only three other hits with 12 strikeouts.
The Tigers scored their first run in the third inning. With one out Ty Ries walked then advanced on a fielder's choice to second and then went to third on a throwing error. Stephanie Steel then flied out to left to drive in Ries.
Princeton scored two more times in the fifth inning off two walks and a wild pitch from Serrano. Kristin Lueke plated one run on a fielder's choice then Steele hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in the final run.
Up next, the Sun Devils will play South Carolina in their final pool game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (Eastern). After that, depending on the results, the Devils will be placed in one of the two brackets (Silver, Bronze) and play one more game at either 4:00 or 6:30 p.m.