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History Made Again As No. 2 Softball Tops No. 23 Cal 4-2

History Made Again As No. 2 Softball Tops No. 23 Cal 4-2History Made Again As No. 2 Softball Tops No. 23 Cal 4-2

May 9, 2008

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - Kaitlin Cochran's two-run home run proved to be the difference in a historical night for the Sun Devil Softball team as they topped the 23rd-ranked Cal Bears 4-2 Friday night in Tempe. The win gives ASU at least a piece of the Pac-10 Championship, and puts ASU one win from standing as conference champions alone. ASU is now 55-5 overall, which sets a new single-season record for wins for the Sun Devils and 17-3 in the Pac-10. Cal falls to 40-23 and 7-13 in conference action.

 

The Sun Devil defense got off to a shaky start again as the Cal Bears grabbed a 2-0 lead after putting a run on the board in the first and second after rattling off five hits, which ended the night for Megan Elliott and brought on ASU ace Katie Burkhart.

 

With Burkhart on the mound, Cal's offense was silenced and ASU's finally woke up as they pushed a run across in the second to cut Cal's lead in half. Kaitlin Cochran broke it open in the fifth inning with a single from Jackie Vasquez being brought home as Cochran dug in after watching two balls go by before smashing her 12th home run on the season to give ASU the 3-2 advantage.

 

A lead-off walk to Jessica Mapes followed with a single from Rhiannon Baca and an amazing double steal proved to be costly for the Bears in the sixth inning as Kaitlin Cochran got it done again with a 4-3 RBI ground out to push ASU ahead 4-2 where Katie Burkhart closed it out for her 31st win on the year and ASU's 55th, a new single-season record for the Sun Devils.

 

In addition the win gives ASU an automatic piece of the 2008 Pac-10 Championship, where a win tomorrow versus California seals it for the Sun Devils outright.

 

The Sun Devils now have one game remaining in the 2008 regular season as they play host to the 23rd-ranked Cal Golden Bears one last time tomorrow afternoon. Game time is set for noon in Tempe at Farrington Stadium. In addition the Sun Devils will host a Selection Show viewing party to see who ASU will face in the NCAA Regionals on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Majerle's Sports Grill in Chandler.