Feb. 29, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. - Six Sun Devil home runs and 26 runs finally wrapped Day one of the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational where freshman Krista Donnenwirth and junior Renee Welty hit two home runs apiece en route to a 10-1 win over the Drake Bulldogs and a 16-7 five inning win over the Florida International Golden Panthers. ASU now stands at 18-1 overall headed into Day Two of the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational.
In game one, ASU started off strong in the top of the first after a lead-off single from Jessica Mapes was followed by a walk to Kaitlin Cochran who all touched home off a three-run shot to center field from Krista Donnenwirth, her fifth of the season.
Megan Elliott recorded the complete game shutout for with seven strikeouts for her eighth win of the season as ASU offense was additionally bolstered by Mindy Cowles' fifth home run of the season, a two-RBI shot to left in the seventh.
Game two proved to be a home run derby as eight home runs total were hit in the game, four for the Golden Panthers. The Sun Devils came out strong in the second scoring seven runs off five hits and one costly FIU error. Krista Donnenwirth also launched her second of the day with a solo shot to center field.
The star of the game proved to be Renee Welty though, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs, two runs scored and five RBIs as the Sun Devils gave up their highest run allowance thus far in the season, but still ended the game in five innings. Amanda Nesbitt recorded her fourth win of the season and Katie Burkhart notched the save, coming in for the third inning and finishing the job.
The Wilson/DeMarini Invitational will roll on tomorrow with games starting at 9 a.m. The Sun Devils are slated for a 5:30 game versus BYU and a 7:30 game versus Arkansas in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.