April 18, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. - With another phenomenal double-digit strikeout performance and complete-game shutout from Katie Burkhart coupled with a two-run home run from Mindy Cowles, the No. 1 Sun Devil Softball team to a 2-0 win over the No. 7 Arizona Wildcats Friday night in Tempe, sealing their first series victory over the `Cats since 1991. The win puts ASU at 47-3 overall and 9-1 in conference action while UA drops to 29-13 and 6-5 in the Pac-10.
The match-up slated UA sophomore righty, Sarah Akamine in only her fourth appearance of the year against ASU's lefty ace Katie Burkhart, who both came out showing solid control through the first two innings, even as the Sun Devils were able to put runners in scoring position in the first and second inning, but Akamine stepped up to keep them from crossing and the score knotted.
The `Cats couldn't keep ASU off the scoreboard forever though as the ASU stepped to the plate in the third with Krista Donnenwirth starting it off with a single to left. A fielder's choice put Lesley Rogers on first as Mindy Cowles dug in to make the difference as she took a 0-1 pitch from Akamine deep to right field for her 11th home run of the season as ASU took the lead and never looked back.
Katie Burkhart kicked into cruise control then, only having a scare in the sixth, but came out of it unscathed as she took her 26th win of the season while giving ASU another nut to put in their pocket with their first Arizona series win in 17 years.
The Sun Devils will gear up for Round 3 against the Wildcats tomorrow as they take on Arizona again at 1 p.m. PT in Tempe at Farrington Stadium. The game will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Sports Net to 42 million subscribers.