Feb. 5, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. - Four different Arizona State University softball players each contributed an RBI to lift the Sun Devils (2-0) to a 4-2 win over Texas-San Antonio (0-2) Saturday night at Farrington Stadium. ASU pounded out 10 hits, including five doubles by nine different players.
UTSA struck first in the top of the first off of one hit and one ASU error. Starting pitcher Desiree Serrano (1-0) walked leadoff hitter Jessica Rogers before giving up a hard single to centerfield by Krystal Gibson. But centerfielder Valerie Sevilla misplayed the ball off her glove as it went by her to the fence, allowing Gibson to race home for the 1-0 lead. ASU would then get the run right back in the bottom of the inning when Mindy Cowles doubled in leadoff hitter Michelle Smith.
The Roadrunners went up 2-1 when Jennifer Davis led off the second inning with a solo home run, but ASU would go up for good in the bottom of the third off three hits. With one out, Cowles again doubled and was driven in by Ciri Bryan's double to right field. Bryan then came home off Heidi Knabe's single to center to give the Sun Devils a 3-2 lead.
UTSA looked to have something going in the fourth inning with one out and runners on first and third, but Amanda Horton popped into an inning ending double play. After freshman pitcher Katie Burkhart relived Serrano in the fifth, UTSA again tried to tie the game up again in the sixth inning. Again with one out and runners on second and third, Horton tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but failed as the UTSA runner from third was tagged out at home by Knabe. Horton then struck out to end the threat.
The Devils tagged on the final run in the sixth when pinch hitter Kim Zadrozny pushed a bunt single between the third baseman and shortstop to bring in pinch runner Bridgette Caron from third.
Serrano ended the night going four and a third innings, allowing five hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. Burkhart went the final two and two-thirds to pick up her first career save. She gave up only one hit, walked one Roadrunner and struck out two. Cowles led the Devils with a 2 for 3 night, including two doubles and one RBI.
Amanda Nikolenko (0-1) pitched five innings for UTSA, giving up nine hits and four runs with four strikeouts. Ursula Mares pitched the final inning. Davis led the Roadrunners with a 3 for 3 game, scoring once with an RBI.
Up next, the two teams will play the final game of the three-game series at Farrington Stadium on Sunday with a first pitch at 1:00 p.m.