March 20, 2004
FULLERTON, Calif. - The 23rd-ranked Arizona State softball team (30-14) came back from a three-run deficit with five runs in the fifth inning, all coming off two home runs by Valerie Sevilla and Trisha Tornberg, to defeat Texas A&M (18-15), 5-3. The Sun Devils end the KIA Klassic with a 3-2 record.
The Aggies gained control early in the second inning off ASU starting pitcher Desiree Serrano (15-4). After recording the first out, Kristin Gunter single to center and was doubled to third when Laura Durham drilled a pitch to left centerfield. That was followed by a Lindsay Park three-run home run that carried over the left field fence for the 3-0 lead.
The Devils first good scoring chance off Texas A&M pitcher Jessica Kapchinski came in the bottom of the third. Sevilla reached second when her deep fly ball to center was dropped for a two base error. Phelan Wright then blooped a ball into shallow right field, allowing Sevilla to advance to third. But Keri Pulcifer grounded out to third to end the inning.
ASU finally got on the board in the fifth inning off four hits and two long home runs. Jen McCard leadoff the frame with a single to left field. Sevilla then stepped to the plate a blasted a two-run home run well over the right field fence for her ninth of the year. Next Wright walked, which was followed by a Pulcifer single to right field to move up Wright to second. After a Kapchinski's wild pitch to advance both runners up, Tornberg took a full count pitch and drilled another home run to deep center field to stake the Devils to a final 5-3 margin.
The Aggies looked to strike back in the sixth when they got runners on first and second with one out. Serrano then got catcher Kristin Gunter to line back to her and then double up the runner on first to get out of the jam and preserve the victory.
Up next, the Devils will take a break for a week and start Pac-10 Conference action hosting UCLA on Friday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m.