March 17, 2006

Box Score

FULLERTON, CA - Arizona State scored four times in the first inning and three Sun Devils' pitchers held the Titans to just five hits as ASU defeated Cal State Fullerton, 4-2, to close out play in Pool C on Friday night at the Judi Garman Classic Presented by Coach USA.

The Titans fell to 16-14 overall with the loss, but still earned the top spot in the pool and will face the winner of Saturday's game between Washington and Louisiana-Lafayette in the first round of the Championship Bracket on Saturday evening at 6:15 p.m.

Arizona State improved to 29-3 overall, but are the No. 4 team in Pool C and will meet the loser of the Huskies and Ragin' Cajuns in the Consolation Bracket on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

The Sun Devils put the Titans in an immediate hole with four runs in the first inning thanks to a pair of RBI hits by Mindy Cowles and Heidi Knabe and a bases-loaded walk to Rhiannon Baca.

Fullerton chipped away at the Sun Devils' lead with single runs in the third and fourth thanks to RBI hits by Katie Gollhardt and Candice Baker, respectively, to make it 4-2.

Baker kept her team close, allowing just two hits and striking out 10 in six innings of relief, but the Titans could not come up with the tying runs, stranding five runners on the night and having a pair thrown out at the plate.

Marzan (4-5) suffered the loss for the Titans, allowing three earned runs on three hits, walking three and striking out two in just one inning of work.

Ashley Werschky (6-0) remained unbeaten on the year, tossing 3 1/3 innings in relief of Katie Burkhart, who left after only 2/3 of an inning due to injury, and allowing just one earned run on four hits. Desiree Serrano earned her first save of the season, pitching three innings of perfect softball while striking out five.

Both the Titans and Sun Devils each had five players with single hits on the night.