March 16, 2006
, - The 2006 Judi Garman Classic kicked off in Fullerton today with the Sun Devils falling to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a 3-2 upset with a two-run home run from ND's Stephanie Brown in the bottom of the seventh to send the Devils to 28-2 on the season.
Most of the game was dominated by pitching, with ASU's Desiree Serrano striking out 10 on the night, while giving up the game winning home run in the seventh. ND's freshman pitcher, Brittany Bargar picked up her sixth win of the season while keeping the Devil bats quiet allowing only seven hits and one two-run home run to ASU.
The Fighting Irish struck first in the second with a solo home run over the center field wall from the first-baseman, Meagan Ruthrauff to put the Irish up 1-0. ASU quickly answered in the top of the third as Kaitlin Cochran nabbed a single to place her at first with Mindy Cowles up next to bomb one over the center-field wall upping the Devils 2-1.
The Irish threatened again in the bottom of the fifth with runners on the corners, but Serrano came through with two K's and a ground-out play to Mindy Cowles at second to keep the Devils ahead.
The Irish weren't done yet though with a costly error, allowing Stephanie Mola to get to first. A sacrifice bunt put Mola on second when ND's right fielder, Stephanie Brown crushed a ball over the left field wall to end the game 3-2.
The Devils are now 28-2 on the season and will play again tonight as they take on at 8:30 p.m. in as the Judi Garmen Classic continues on.