Feb. 19, 2006
Tempe, Ariz. - The 2006 Littlewood Classic wrapped up Sunday at Farrington Stadium with yet another awesome display of talent from the Sun Devil Softball squad as they beat the #19 Iowa Hawkeyes with an 8-1 win and the Illinois State Red Birds 2-0 to sweep the tournament and advance their record to 13-0.
In the first game against the No. 19 Hawkeyes of Iowa, the Devils came out blazing against the lackluster Hawkeyes gaining the lead early after a lead-off single from Michelle Smith was advanced around the bases on a single from Mindy Cowles followed by an intentional walk to Kaitlin Cochran and two Hawkeye errors.
Mindy Cowles made it home in the first as well off of a sacrifice fly to left field from catcher Heidi Knabe, who proved to be a huge asset for the Devils as she crushed two home runs in straight at-bats against the Hawkeyes in the third and fourth innings.
The Devil outfield also helped to boost ASU to their win as center-fielder, Kaitlin Cochran robbed Iowa shortstop, Stacy May of a two-run home run with a huge catch in the air, May was also robbed of a home run by the Devils in their Saturday game as Jackie Vasquez nabbed one in the air before it cleared the left-field wall.
The outfield wasn't finished in its protection of the base-paths though as Cochran and Smith both came up with sliding catches to keep the Hawkeyes at bay.
The Devils were almost able to end the game early as they headed into the fifth leading 8-0, but the Hawkeyes had other plans though as they squeaked out a run to keep the game going off a single, error and sacrifice fly, pushing the game on.
The Devils and the Hawkeyes remained quiet for the rest of the day though, as they finished off the game in seven innings with a score of 8-1 in favor of the Devils.
In the second game of the day, the Devils took on the Illinois State Red Birds for the eighth and final game of the 2006 Littlewood Classic.
The Devils again started off with a quick run to grab the lead as a walk to Mindy Cowles was hit around the bases after a fielder's choice and a double from catcher Kristen Miller.
Though the run proved to be all the Devils needed on the day, Bianca Cruz stepped up in the second and nailed a lead-off home run.
Katie Burkhart's pitching took care of the rest for the Devils as she had 12 strikeouts in 24 at-bats, only allowing two hits and one batter walked the entire day.
The Devils are now an amazing 13-0 on the season as they head full-steam into the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia next weekend where they are set to face off against three ranked opponents; #21 North Carolina, #20 Auburn and #23 Missouri in the first three games of the tournament, after which results will determine which pool and who they play for the rest of the weekend.