April 3, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. - Behind a four-hit complete game shutout from freshman pitcher Katie Burkhart, the 18th-ranked Arizona State University softball team (26-9, 1-2 Pac-10) notched their first Pac-10 win of the season, shutting out sixth-ranked Stanford (25-7, 1-2 Pac-10), 2-0, Sunday at Farrington Stadium. Heidi Knabe led the offense going 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI, while Ashley Werschky went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Burkhart (10-4) kept the Cardinal bats in check for most of the game as Stanford reached second base only once in the seventh inning. Burkhart gave up the four hits to two different Cardinal players -- Lauren Lappin (2 for 3) and Leah Nelson (2 for 3) -- while striking out eight for her sixth shutout of the year.
ASU open the game by scoring the first run in the home half of the first. Bridgette Caron opened the inning with a single to left field. After Stanford starting pitcher Laura Severson (11-4) got the first out, Mindy Cowles was hit by a pitch moving Caron to second. Severson then got the next batter out, but Knabe singled to center field to load the bases. Werschky followed with a single to deep short, beating out Lappin's throw to first and allowing Caron to score.
The Sun Devils tallied the final run in the third inning off Stanford relief pitcher Laura Nydam. With two outs and Valerie Sevilla on first, Knabe hit a hard double that went off the left field fence, scoring Sevilla from first.
Up next, the Sun Devils continue their seven-game home stand, hosting second-ranked Arizona on Wednesday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m