March 19, 2004
FULLERTON, Calif. - The 23rd-ranked Arizona State softball team (29-14) defeated 20th-ranked Nebraska, 6-3, earlier Friday to win their pool with a 2-1 record and earn one of the top four seeds in the championship bracket. However, the Sun Devils dropped their opening round game to Illinois, 4-2, and was eliminated from Championship play. ASU will now play one more consolation game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against either DePaul or Texas A&M.
Against the Cornhuskers, the Devils came up with a big five run second inning to seal the win. Nebraska struck first with two unearned runs off two hits in the second, but the Sun Devils answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Trisha Tornberg reached on an infield single, while ASU's next batter, Kristin Crenshaw, reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. ASU then pulled a double steal as Tornberg took third and Crenshaw second. Kim Zadrozny followed with a deep drive to left field, driving in Tornberg for the first run. Keri Pulcifer, who was pinch hitting for Jen McCard, laced a single into right field to plate Crenshaw. Kristin Farber then beat out another infield hit, but the shortstop misplayed the ball again, allowing McCard, who re-entered, to come home for the 3-2 lead. Phelan Wright ended the scoring off Cornhusker pitcher Summer Tobias with a two-run home run over the left centerfield fence. The homer was Wright's team leading 12th of the year and also pushed her RBI total to 43.
ASU starting pitcher Desiree Serrano (14-4) held Nebraska in check for the next three innings until they got one back to cut the lead to 5-3. With two outs, Serrano gave up consecutive singles for runners on first and second. Then Devin Porter hit a ground ball to Wright at third, but she misplayed it allowing the runner to score from second.
However, ASU would answer back again in the bottom of the sixth off one hit and another Nebraska error. Tornberg walked and was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt by Crenshaw. Tornnberg then advance to third when Nebraska's catcher made an errant throw down to second to try and pick off Tornberg. McCard followed with an RBI single to center to drive in Tornberg for the final 6-3 score.
Serrano went the distance scattering seven hits with three runs (no earned) and four strikeouts. ASU posted 10 hits up and down the lineup with seven different players getting at least one hit. Wright was perfect with a 3 for 3 game with a run scored and two RBIs. Farber went 2 for 4 with a run scored, while Tornberg scored two runs. Sevilla also belted another double, her team-leading 15th of the year.
In the first round of the Championship Bracket against Illinois, the Devils had several scoring changes throughout the game, but could only plate two runs, while leaving seven stranded.
The Fighting Illini recorded two runs in the third inning off three straight hits, all coming with two outs. Leadoff hitter Lindsey Hamma and Rachelle Coriddi each singled. Then Jenna Hall doubled to left field as the ball cam down just in fair play and spun into foul territory as both runners came across.
Illinois followed with two more runs in the fifth off of another double by Hall. ASU starting pitching pitcher Bre DeSanta (9-5) was then lifted for Serrano who struck out the next two batters to quell any more damage.
The Devils then came back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead in half. Tornberg and Crenshaw each walked, then Zadrozny hit a deep fly to center to move the runners up a base. Illinois starting pitcher Jackelyn Diekemper then tossed a wild pitch that scored Tornberg, while Sevilla followed with a double off the right field fence to score Crenshaw. Illinois then changed pitchers to Sherri Taylor who came and got Wright to groundout to end the inning.
Serrano finished the final two and two-thirds innings without allowing a hit with three strikeouts. DeSanta took the loss, allowing eight hits and four runs with four strikeouts.