March 2, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State University softball team (13-2) won both games of the doubleheader against Eastern Michigan (0-2) Wednesday night at Farrington Stadium, taking the first game 2-1 and the nightcap 6-2. In the first game, freshman pitcher Katie Burkhart (4-1) was just one out away from a perfect game against the Eagles until Liz Flack hit a solo home run to center field in the seventh inning.
Burkhart ended the game with 12 strikeouts (third double digit strikeout game), including striking out the side in the fourth inning. She also fanned four EMU hitters two or more times to bring her season total to 62.
The Sun Devils scored their only runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning off two hits and one Eagle error. Leadoff hitter Ciri Bryan walked on four pitches and was moved to third on a double to left by Valerie Sevilla. Heidi Knabe, who had two of the team's three hits, followed with a flair into shallow right field to plate Bryan for the first run. After a failed squeeze attempt by Kim Zadrozny, Knabe stole second. The EMU catcher then threw down to the shortstop to try and get Knabe, but it was late so the throw back home to get Sevilla went high and wide allowing Sevilla to score.
EMU's Michelle Lloyd suffered the loss, allowing only three hits and two runs with seven strikeouts.
In the second game, the Eagles scored first with a single run in the first inning off ASU pitcher Ashley Werschky (4-1). With two outs, Flack singled to right field and was driven home on a Nikki Denman double to center field.
ASU finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with three runs. Sevilla recorded the team's first hit, a single to center field. Knabe then drilled a hard ground ball that went through the second baseman's legs and all the way to the fence for a three-base error as Sevilla raced home to tie the game at one. With two outs, Sharee Zaleski took the first pitch she saw off EMU pitcher Denman and deposited it over the left field fence for the 3-1 lead.
The Devils added three more runs in the fifth inning off two doubles. Bryan opened the inning with another walk. Rhiannon Baca followed with a double that went down the third base line moving Bryan to third. Mindy Cowles reached on an infield single to drive in Bryan, and Sevilla then cleared the bases with another double to stretch the lead to 6-1.
EMU tallied one last run in the seventh inning. Lindsay Schmid doubled and was driven in on a fielder's choice by Jessica Grant, but that was all the Eagles could put across as Werschky got the last batter to ground out.
Werschy went the distance allowing five hits and two runs, one earned with five strikeouts. EMU's Denman took the loss, giving up six runs with only three earned.
Up next, ASU will host the Louisville Slugger Triangular Friday-Sunday at Farrington Stadium. On Friday, ASU will play San Diego State at 5:00 p.m. and Southern Utah at 7:00 p.m.