March 21, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The No. 8 Arizona State softball team (23-6) stayed undefeated at the Diamond Devil Classic by beating Steven F. Austin, 8-0 in five innings and New Mexico, 2-1.
Against Steven F. Austin, eight ASU players had a hit and seven players scored a run. The Sun Devils scored first in the third when junior Holly Smith hit a triple to right field bringing in Jennifer Gall from second base. In the game, Smith went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored.
ASU then unloaded on the Ladyjacks in the fifth, scoring seven times to end the game under the mercy rule. Chris Gill went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Jennifer Gall went 1 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Senior Roxanne Tsosie (13-2) went the distance allowing only two hits while striking out four for her second shutout in as many days.
Against New Mexico, ASU started strong by hitting back-to-back in side the park home runs on their first two at bats. Freshman Devyn Braga hit her first career home run when she smashed the third pitch throw to her into the center field wall. Senior Raja Woods followed with a home run to left field.
That would be all that ASU needed as Carrie Breedlove (10-4) went four innings before giving way to Tsosie who earned her first save of the season. The two pitchers combined to limit the Lobos to one unearned run on five hits while striking out five.
The Diamond Devil Classic will conclude tomorrow with New Mexico facing Steven F. Austin at 10 a.m. and Arizona State going against Iowa State at Noon.