April 29, 2005
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Sharee Zaleski's two-out sixth inning RBI double proved to be the difference as Arizona State University's softball team (27-18, 2-11 Pac-10) upset No. 8 ranked Oregon State (37-9, 10-3 Pac-10), 1-0, on Friday afternoon at the OSU Softball Complex. Desiree Serrano (11-6) pitched one of her best games of the year as she took a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
The Sun Devils took advantage of three hits in the top of the sixth inning and scored the game's lone run when Zaleski hit the ball off the right field wall. ASU attempted to get another run across, but the relay throw from OSU right fielder Adrienne Alo to Mia Longfellow and then Lisa Allen caught Ashley Werschky at the plate.
Oregon State's seventh inning rally fell just short. The Beavers broke-up ASU hurler Desiree Serrano's no-hitter when Allen led-off the frame with a double to right field.
After Arizona State made a pitching change to Katie Burkhart, Brianne McGowan followed with a single to the left side, but ASU shortstop Rhiannon Baca made a diving stop and picked off Beaver pinch runner Ta'Tyana McElroy at second. Baca snagged a line-drive for out number two. Pinch hitter Ingrid Lochelt ripped a single up the middle that advanced pinch runner Natalie Johnson to third, but Burkhart ended the contest with a strikeout to nail down her Pac-10 leading fifth save of the year.
Serrano went six innings, allowing only one hit with five straike outs. Burkhart finished the seventh with two hits and a strike out. McGowan (30-5) scattered five hits and struck out six batters. The Beavers won the season series with the Sun Devils, but OSU failed to get its first-ever sweep of ASU.
Up next, the Sun Devils will continue on the road as they head to Eugene to face Oregon on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.