May 4, 2003
BERKELEY - Arizona State's Phelan Wright hit a home run to left centerfield in the top of the ninth inning to provide the only scoring as the Sun Devils spoiled California's senior day with a 1-0 victory Sunday at Levine-Fricke Field.
No. 16 ASU improves to 30-20 overall and 7-11 in the Pac-10. Ninth-ranked Cal falls to 40-15 and 9-8.
The Golden Bears had ample scoring opportunities as they collected eight hits and stranded 14. Cal baserunners reached at least second base in eight of the game's nine innings, including the bases loaded in both the first and last frame. Cal had runners at third base in three of the last four innings.
After putting down ASU in order in the top of the first, Cal appeared ready to go on the offensive in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, Lindsay James slapped one up the middle and was followed by back-to-back walks to Courtney Scott and Veronica Nelson. But a pop up to second base and a fly ball to center ended the threat.
The Bears were poised to end the contest in the bottom of the seventh inning. James led off with a single to left field and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Nelson was then intentionally walked for the third time in the game, but pinch-hitter Haley Woods grounded into a double play to send the game into extra innings.
James went four-for-four on the day to improve her season average to .337. Scott hit 2-3 with a pair of walks.
Ashley Werschky (9-4) picked up the win in relief after entering the game in the top of the sixth inning. She threw 3 2/3 innings of scoreless three-hit ball. Desi Serrano, ASU's starter, re-entered the game in the bottom of the ninth to record the game's final out and her eighth save of the year. Meanwhile, Kelly Anderson (16-8) took the loss for Cal after entering the game in the top of the third in relief of starter Jen Deering. Anderson worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out six.
ASU managed just two hits entering the ninth inning, both coming in the sixth inning, before Wright launched the eventual gamewinner with two outs and a 2-2 count.
Cal and Arizona State split their four meetings this season, with both of the Sun Devils' victories coming by 1-0 scores.
Softball Results at Levine-Fricke Field Berkeley, Calif.
Arizona State 000 000 010 1 4 1 California 000 000 000 0 8 0 Serrano, Werschky (6), Serrano (9) and Garcia. Deering, Anderson (3) and Scott.
W Werschky (9-4). L Anderson (16-8). S Serrano (8). HR: ASU Wright (15). 2B: ASU Brun.
Records: ASU: 30-20, 7-11 Pac-10 Cal: 40-15, 9-8 Pac-10