April 3, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. - The 24th-ranked Arizona State softball team (30-15; 0-1 Pac-10) fell to No. 7 Washington (25-7; 1-0 Pac-10), 9-1, Saturday night in the Pac-10 Conference opener for both schools at Farrington Stadium. Five home runs were hit in the game, four by the Huskies.
The Sun Devils jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when in the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Valerie Sevilla hit a 2-2 pitcher from starter UW starter Ashley Boek (16-4) over the centerfield fence. The home run was Sevilla's 10th of the year and 35th RBI. However, that was all Boek would allow as ASU's offense stalled the rest of the night.
UW quickly tied the game at one when Kathy Fiske hit a solo home run in the top of the second. The Huskies went up for good in the third when Sarah Hyatt took starting ASU pitcher Desiree Serrano's (15-5) first pitch over the left field fence for the 2-1 edge.
UW put four more across in the fourth when Kristen Rivera smacked a grand slam well over the 210-foot center field fence. Rivera then struck again with another solo home run in the sixth for the 7-1 lead. Rivera ended the game, going 3 for 5 with two homeruns and six RBIs.
ASU's only other hit off Boek came in the fifth innning when Ashley Werschky singled to left field. Serrano lasted six innings before giving way to Bre DeSanta, who came into the game with the bases loaded. DeSanta gave up one hit, but struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.
In all, UW left the base loaded twice and overall left 13 runners on base.
Up next, the Devils will conclude the two-game home series against Washington on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.