March 28, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - Freshman pitcher Desiree Serrano allowed only four hits with six strikeouts as she helped to lead the 13th-ranked Arizona State softball team (25-9; 1-0 Pac-10) to a 2-0 win over the 19th-ranked Oregon Ducks (17-7; 1-1 Pac-10) in the Pac-10 opener at Farrington Stadium.
A pitcher's duel between Serrano (15-5) and Oregon's Amy Harris (6-5) kept both team's scoreless until the Devils home half of the fifth. Kristin Farber reached on a fielder's choice and then stole her team-leading eighth base to reach second. Kara Brun followed with a hard single off the third baseman glove to reach first.
Phelan Wright then stepped to the plate and drilled, what looked like a three-run home run to center field, but a stiff wind blowing in held the ball in the park as Farber and Brun each moved up a base. With two outs, Adriana Garcia followed with a queued shot down to Oregon's first baseman Andrea Vidlund, but she misplayed the ball as Garcia slid safe into first and allowing both Farber and Brun to score and seal the win.
Both teams did have several chances throughout the game to score, but both pitchers pitched their way out of the jams. Oregon left eight on base, while the Devils stranded seven. Jennifer Forner went 2-for-3 as she posted half of the team's four hits.
Up next, Arizona State will host Oregon State on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.