March 6, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. - Three Arizona State University softball pitchers combined for a one-hitter and Sharee Zaleski hit two home runs, including a grand slam as the Sun Devils (17-4) shutout Southern Utah in a run-rule five inning game, 8-0. ASU ends the Louisville Slugger Triangular with a 4-1 record.
Mindy Cowles (1-0) started the game in the circle and pitched the first three innings allowing no hits with two strikeouts to pick up her first career win. Ashley Werschky then pitched the fourth inning, giving up the only hit of the day, a double to SUU's Kortny Hall. Desiree Serrano finished the final inning, striking out two of the three batters she faced.
The Sun Devils quickly took a 3-0 lead in the first inning off back-to-back home runs. With two outs, Cowles singled to center. On the first pitch she saw from SUU starter Kristy Miller, Valerie Sevilla belted her fourth home run of the year over the 225-foot center field fence. Zaleski then drilled her first home run of the game, a solo shot over the left field fence for the 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, ASU posted five more runs capped by Zeleski's second home run of the game, a grand slam to left field. Zaleski ended the game with a 2 for 3 day with two runs scored and a career-high five RBIs. She is now second on the team in home runs with five. Sevilla also went 2 for 3 (eighth multi-hit game of the year) with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Up next, the Sun Devils head out on their annual 12-day, two-tournament (NIST and KIA Klassic) trip to California. First up will be the National Invitational Tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif. ASU begins play on Friday, March 11 against Rhode Island at 2:00 p.m. (PT).