April 17, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. – A lights-out complete game shutout performance from Mackenzie Popescue with a clutch hit from Krista Donnenwirth gave the top-ranked ASU Softball team all the fuel it needed for the fire Saturday night as they rallied up for a 2-0 win over the No. 9 UCLA Bruins in front of a standing room only crowd at Farrington Stadium. Popescue moves to 11-2 on the year as ASU improves to 38-5 on the year and 5-3 in Pac-10 play while UCLA falls to 29-8 and 5-3 in conference action.
Per Pac-10 standards it was yet another pitching duel Saturday night as Mackenzie Popescue took to the circle to face Jessica Hall who entered into the game with a 14-5 record on the year where both threw two shutout innings.
ASU decided to make a move in the third inning as Alix Johnson drew a walk before Katelyn Boyd lined a shot into left field for a double to put runners on second and third. Kaylyn Castillo drew the walk next to set up a bases loaded situation for clean-up hitter Krista Donnenwirth, who after swinging out of her shoes at the first pitch settled in to line the next one up the middle and bring in two.
ASU needed no more as Popescue was lights-outs the rest of the night, just baffling the UCLA offense who only produced four hits in the game as Mac controlled the game from the circle.
The Sun Devils will decided the series tomorrow as they face UCLA one last time at high noon in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.