March 7, 2006
Las Vegas, Nev. - The Arizona State Softball Team wrapped up the 2006 UNLV Invitational on Sunday after facing the Portland State Vikings where the Devils came out the victor with win number 21 as they beat the Vikings 3-0 in seven innings.
In the first inning pitcher Desiree Serrano came out looking strong as she threw a strikeout, ground-out and a pop up to get the Devils quickly out of the first.
ASU looked strong coming out to bat in the first as a lead-off single from Michelle Smith, who then stole second, was hit around to score with a huge double to the left-center wall from Mindy Cowles.
The Devils shut down the Vikings again in the second with a ground out and a well-executed double play as Jana Rae Slayton grounded to Desiree Serrano who threw back to shortstop, Rhiannon Baca, who turned it to first to Zaleski in a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.
The Devils struck again in the second as Rhiannon Baca hit a solo shot over the left-center wall to put the Devils up 2-0 going into the third.
ASU stopped Portland in the third with another strikeout for Serrano a ground out and with Heidi Knabe stepping up to throw out Laura Segall as she tried to steal second.
The Devils were kept quiet offensively until the fifth inning when a lead-off single and a stolen base by Jessica Mapes was hit home off of a huge triple from Bridgette Caron to the right-center wall, putting the score at 3-0.
The Sun Devils kept the Vikings scoreless through six, when Samantha Zadel robbed Katie Stokes of an at-bat with a huge catch in foul territory down the left-line.
Stephanie Bean dug in next for the Vikings and hit a double into left-field, followed with a single from Jana Rae Slayton to put runners at first and third.
The Devils got out of it though with some tough defense with a pop-out and a ground out to the shortstop to end the game with win number 21 on the season as Portland State falls to an even 7-7.
The Devils will play an exhibition game against Team China at 1:30 before heading back to Tempe to rest for a few days before traveling to California to play Santa Clara and participate in the NIST Tournament in San Jose.