March 18, 2007
FULLERTON, Calif. - Homeruns from Bianca Cruz and Caylyn Carlson couldn't save the No. 2 Sun Devil Softball team Sunday morning as they fell 6-4 in extra innings to N.C. State in the Judi Garman Classic Consolation Bracket Semifinal game. The Sun Devils are now 29-5 overall entering their last weekend of tournament play.
The Wolfpack jumped on the lead early in the first as an error and two hits brought around Heather Gelbard and Blair Harkey to push N.C. State up 2-0. The Sun Devils answered in the third though after an error put Jackie Vasquez on before Bianca Cruz crushed a two-run shot to right center to knot the score 2-2.
ASU decided the inning wasn't over though as Mindy Cowles laid down a bunt single and was brought around as Caylyn Carlson nailed her fifth home run of the season over left to push ASU up 4-2.
The Wolfpack answered in the fourth as they scored two runs off two hits to tie the score again before ASU brought in Katie Burkhart on the mound. Burkhart kept the game locked until the eighth inning when NCST rattled off two more hits to bring around another two runs. The Sun Devils were unable to answer the runs after a strikeout and lining into a double play to end the game.
The Sun Devils are now 29-5 and will hit the diamond again this Wednesday as they travel to El Paso to take on UTEP in a doubleheader before hosting their final tournament of the season March 22-25 in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.