Feb. 8, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. - The 13th-ranked Arizona State softball team (6-1) won both of its games Saturday at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament held at Farrington Stadium, defeating Iowa State, 3-1, and Mississippi State, 5-4. Freshman pitcher Desiree Serrano pitched 10 innings combined with 15 strikeouts, earning her third save against Iowa State and her third win against Mississippi State.
In the first game against Iowa State, Adriana Garcia's two-run home run in the sixth inning ensured the Sun Devils win over the Cyclones. Both team's were held scoreless until ASU's fifth inning when starting pitcher Cheryl Evans (2-0) opened the frame with a triple to right field. Keri Pulcifer then singled to center field to dive in Evans for the first run. In the sixth, Kara Brun doubled to right center field for her 39th career double, tying ASU's all-time record. Garcia then stepped to the plate a blasted her second home run of the year over the left field scoreboard for the 3-0 lead.
Iowa State posted one run in the bottom of the seventh off of a wild pitch by Serrano. Evans pitched four innings allowing only one hit with three strikeouts, while Serrano nailed down her third save of the year with three innings of work. Serrano gave up two hits, one run and struckout seven batters.
In the second game, a tight back and forth contest against Mississippi State, the Devils would score three runs in the bottom of the fifth while Serrano (3-1) pitched the distance with eight more strikeouts. The Bulldogs and Devils each posted one run in the first innings. ASU then recorded one more run in the third inning. In the top of the fifth, MSU would take a 4-2 lead.
Callye Williams open with a walk followed by a Jennifer Nelson single to left field, but both players moved up a base on the misplayed single in left. Jennifer Jessup then reached on sacrifice squeeze, scoring Willams and that was followed by an Iyhia McMichael two run single to center.
However, ASU would answer again in the bottom of the fifth with three more runs to seal the win. After back to back singles by Jennifer Forner and Kristin Farber, Brun hit another single to center, scoring Forner and advancing Farber to third. Garcia followed with a single to left, plating Farber and advancing Brun to third. Ashley Werschky then reached on a fielder's choice as Brun came home for the final run.
Farber had a perfect game, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Forner went 2-for-4 also with two runs scored.
Up next. The Devils wrap up the tournament with two more games back up at Rose Mofford on Sunday. ASU will face Utah at 12:00 p.m. and 25th-ranked Massachusetts at 2:00 p.m.