No. 1 softball to host Santa Clara

March 12, 2008

The top-ranked Sun Devil Softball (27-1) squad will continue their 2008 home season this weekend as they set to host the Santa Clara Broncos in a three-game series in Tempe this Friday and Saturday at Farrington Stadium. Friday's first pitch is set for 7 p.m. while game one of Saturday's double-header starts at noon, with game two following 20 minutes after the culmination of game one.<separator></separator>Since their first meeting in 1987 against the Santa Clara Broncos, the Sun Devils hold a 16-1 lead in the series history with their last meeting coming in 2006 on March 9 in Santa Clara, Calif. which ended in a 9-0 final score in five innings with <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/burkhart_katie00.html"… Burkhart</a> in the circle and pitching ASU to their 21st win of the season and her ninth of the year with a two-hit complete game shutout. They were slated for a doubleheader that day, but had game two rained out.<separator></separator>This weekend, Santa Clara travels to Tempe with a current 4-24 record overall. Last weekend they went 1-4 at the Fresno State Bulldog Classic in Fresno, Calif. They started off strong with a 5-1 win over Rhode Island before falling to three straight ranked opponents: Houston 4-0, DePaul 6-0 and Fresno State 8-0 (5 innings) before finishing the weekend with an 8-3 loss to Cal Poly.<separator></separator>The Broncos come in with a .185 team batting average with 15 doubles, a triple and seven home runs to their tally. Leading the offense is junior infielder, Noelanie Ho'opi'I who rides a .296 average into this weekend with three doubles and two home runs for seven RBIs.<separator></separator>In the circle for the Broncos is senior ace Jerrica Castagno who has a current 2-11 record with a 4.81 ERA. On the year she's only allowed 36 earned runs while striking out 45 in 67.1 innings of work.<separator></separator>Schedule:<separator></separator>ASU vs. Santa Clara - Friday, March 14th 7:00 p.m.<separator></separator>Pink Out - Wear Pink and Receive $2 Admission<separator></separator>Sparky's Inflatable Fun Zone - 6:00 - 7:15 p.m.<separator></separator> <separator></separator>ASU vs. Santa Clara - Saturday, March 15th 12:00 and 2:30 p.m.<separator></separator>Girl Scout Day<separator></separator>Sparky's Inflatable Fun Zone - 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.