March 9, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - Fueled with solid pitching and power hitting the No. 3 ASU Softball team opened the Pac-10 vs. Big XII Challenge Friday night as ASU topped Missouri 4-2 and blazed by Texas Tech 10-1 in six innings. The Sun Devils are now 24-2 on the year with another match-up against the Red Raiders and Tigers looming tomorrow.
Versus the Missouri Tigers the Sun Devils held the game close before breaking the ice in the third inning with two runs as Jessica Mapes and Kaitlin Cochran were brought home on a double to left center from clean-up hitter Bianca Cruz. The Tigers tied the game in the seventh as they rattled off four hits to bring in two to force the Sun Devils to the bottom of the seventh where a lead-off single from Mindy Cowles kicked-off the inning as Kaitlin Cochran coming off three walks on the night crushed a ball over center field to win it 4-2 for the Devils.
Game two saw Katie Burkhart return to the mound for ASU, where she shut down the Texas Tech offense throwing a four-hit complete game with 16 strikeouts as ASU won 10-1 in six innings. Kaitlin Cochran went 1-for-2 at the plate with a two-run shot over right center. Rhiannon Baca also went deep for the Sun Devils tonight hitting her fourth of the season in the fourth inning against the Red Raiders. The Sun Devils saw a near perfect balance of offense and defense against Texas Tech, ending it early in six innings with 12 hits for ten runs to the Red Raiders' four and one.
Next up the Sun Devils will continue the Pac-10 vs. Big XII Challenge tomorrow as they face-off again against the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Missouri Tigers. Pac-10 teammate Washington will face TTU and MU as well. All games will be held at Farrington Stadium starting at noon. This weekend is also Family Weekend at Sun Devil Softball. You can click here for a special family day pass rate of $3 per family member.