March 29, 2006
- Powered by their red-hot bats, the ninth-ranked Arizona State Softball Team (36-3) added two more wins to their record Wednesday night as they defeated the UTEP Miners (12-22) 5-4 and 12-0, with Sun Devil sophomore, Mindy Cowles entering NCAA record books in the second game with three home runs and ten RBI, which ties her for second in NCAA history in both.
In the first game, the Miners struck first in the fourth inning, as they loaded the bases with a lead-off walk to Amber Bennet, who was advanced by a single through the right side by Sarah Ramirez followed by Simone Holland who was hit by a pitch to pack the bags when shortstop Kelly Lombard stepped up to hit her sixth home run of the year and plate four, pushing UTEP up, 4-0.
The Sun Devils got their bats working in the fifth inning to answer the Miners with two outs already on their tab followed by six consecutive hits to bring home four with four singles, a double and a two-run home run from Ashley Werschky to tie it up at four apiece.
ASU was able to hold off the Miners until the seventh, when the Sun Devils were able to finish the game after two walks and a fielder's choice throwing error by the Miners brought home the winning run for ASU in a final 5-4 score.
In the second game, the Sun Devils came out on fire, as they loaded up the bases in the first after a lead-off walk to Michelle Smith was hit to third off bunts from Jackie Vasquez and Kaitlin Cochran, when Mindy Cowles came to the play to bring them all home with a grand slam over the right field wall to boost ASU up, 4-0.
ASU added five more runs to the score in the second as they drove in a run off of a single from Jackie Vasquez followed with three-run home run from Mindy Cowles over right center.
The Sun Devils remained unstoppable in the third with three more runs to bring the score to 12-0 after another three-run home run over center field from red-hot Mindy Cowles as she tied for second in NCAA history in both home runs with three and RBI with ten.
The Sun Devils will take to the road next to open Pac-10 play against and #7 over the weekend.