May 17, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. - 15 hits, five for extra bases coupled with a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts from Katie Burkhart signaled the return of Sun Devil Softball, with the No. 2 ASU Softball team topping the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine's 10-0 in six innings Saturday afternoon in Day Two of the Tempe Regional. The win keeps ASU in the winner's bracket where they'll play.....tomorrow at 1 p.m. for a chance to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals. ASU is now 58-5 overall and a perfect 2-0 in the NCAA Tournament.
ASU started the day off right grabbing a run in the first inning, then doubling it up for two more in the second inning after rattling off five hits in two innings alone. Burkhart stymied Hawai'i's bats as she didn't even allow a hit until the fourth inning, which were her only two of the game.
ASU added a run in the fourth and fifth to push it to 5-0 before breaking it open in the sixth after an RBI single from Krista Donnenwirth, Kristen Miller dug in with three on to crush her 15th longball of the season off an 0-1 pitch giving ASU a 9-0 lead. Not to be outdone, Mindy Cowles took Hawai'i deep next, hitting a solo shot to match Kristen Miller's 15th home run of the season to keep them tied for the team high.
A perfect three-up-three down inning for Burkhart in the bottom of the inning wrapped up the game for ASU as the mercy-rule kicked into effect, giving Katie Burkhart her 33rd win of the season and 110th of her career.
Clint Myers spoke on the team's turnaround from last night's performance stating, "I think you saw a very good Arizona State team today. We talked about Hawaii being very offensively potent and how we'd have to play our game in order to beat them, which we did today, we played our game and the outcome was markedly different."
Mindy Cowles also mentioned about the change in climate from yesterday to today's team, saying, "We pushed too hard yesterday and didn't play like we usually do. The team stepped back to talk and we discussed how we need to start playing like we want to be and deserve to be in Oklahoma in two weeks."
The Sun Devils now advance to the championship round of the Tempe Regional where they will fire up to play Hawaii again at 1 p.m. at Farrington Stadium.
Results from Day Two of the Tempe Regional:
Game 4:
Mississippi State def. Stony Brook 8-3 (Stony Brook eliminated)
Mississippi State vs. Stony Brook Box Score in PDF Format
Game 5:
Hawaii def. Mississippi St. 7-4 (Mississippi St. eliminated)