May 29, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Even with Hillary Bach’s seven shutout innings, the No. 10 ASU Softball team was unable to pull of a win Friday night in Game Five of the WCWS, losing a 1-0 heartbreaker in eight innings to No. 3 Washington. The loss drops ASU to 47-18 on the year and one game from elimination while Washington improves to 48-10 and into the winner’s bracket.
With what turned out to be a typical Pac-10 pitchers duel, the Huskies threatened first in the bottom of the fourth inning when a single from Jenn Salling was nearly brought home off a double to right center from Alicia Blake but an amazing 8-4-2 play from Kaitlin Cochran to Ashley Muenz to Kaylyn Castillo saved the run from coming in keeping it scoreless after four complete.
The Huskies came back again for a threat in the seventh inning with a lead-off double from Morgan Stuart who was bunted to third. A fly out and an intentional walk brought up UW’s nine-hitter who popped out to the catcher to squeak out of the inning unscathed.
The lack of offense eventually caught up with the Sun Devils though as they headed into extra innings where they flatlined again in the top of the inning and another lead-off hit for the Huskies spelled doom for A State as with runners in the corners and no outs, ASU was just unable to squeak out again as Morgan Stuart hit a single through the left side on a 2-2 pitch to plate Kimi Pohlman and take the walk-off win.
ASU will now head back to Hall of Fame Stadium tomorrow to take on the winner of the Arizona vs. Alabama game, which is set to kick at 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT. ASU’s game will start at 8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT