Feb. 28, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The seventh-ranked Arizona State softball team (13-2) earned a split today at the second day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia.
The Sun Devils dropped their first game to No. 4 Michigan 2-1, but bounced back in the second to win a thrilling nine inning contest against Nicholls State 2-1.
Against the Wolverines, the Devils could not generate enough offense as they only produced three hits, one of the hits a solo homerun by sophomore Chris Gill. Senior Raja Woods had the other two hits for ASU as they suffered only their second loss of the season.
Carrie Breedlove (6-1) received her first loss of the season by giving up seven hits and two runs, however, both runs were unearned. Breedlove's ERA through 42.2 innings of action remains untouched at 0.00.
In the second game, ASU's fourth of the tournament, the Sun Devils pulled out a tight 2-1 victory over Nicholls State in nine innings.
Roxanne Tsosie (7-1) pitched all nine innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. ASU was led by Raja Woods 2-for-4 performance. Woods is currently batting .444 and has swiped 9-of-10 bases.
The game was knoted up a one apiece through eight innings until ASU's ninth when, by international rule, the Devils placed Erin Hull on second. Woods then singled to third, advancing Hull to third. After a strikeout, Chris Gill reached on a fielder's choice, sac, scoring Hull with the winning run.
However, the Devils would load the bases in the bottom of the ninth before Tsosie got Nicholls State's Angie Walker hit into a game ending double play.
Arizona State will now wait to see who they will face in the championship bracket tomorrow. ASU will either play at Noon or 2 p.m. (EST).