No. 1 softball ignites in doubleheader sweep

With 26 hits and 20 runs scored on the day, the offensive power of the No. 1 ASU Softball team was the force that drove them to a 6-5 and a 14-7 win in Monday's doubleheader against the visiting UNLV Rebels. Righty hurler, Megan Elliott was credited with both of the Sun Devils' wins on the day pushing her record to a perfect 16-0 as ASU's record now holds at 46-3 overall while UNLV drops to 21-27-1.

Game one sent ASU's Megan Elliott to the hill, where UNLV jumped to it quickly as they scored one with an RBI double. ASU topped that in the bottom of the inning though as they plated two off Krista Donnenwirth's 11th home run, a two run shot to left off a 1-2 pitch. The game remained 2-1 in ASU's favor until the third when Jaci Hull hit a two run home run to right field to give the Rebels the advantage again. 

UNLV added a run in the fourth and fifth as well to take a comfortable 5-2 lead before ASU's offense stormed back. Putting four hits and four runs on the board, ASU snuck back in the game to take the lead after six full innings, where ASU ace, Katie Burkhart took the circle in the seventh to close out the win and collect her second save of the season.

Game two turned into a slugfest as both teams combined to put up 19 runs in the first three innings alone, before Megan Elliott took the circle again for ASU to cruise through five innings while allowing only three hits. Change of pitchers didn't slow the ASU offensive attack though as UNLV tried three pitchers, but were unable to keep the Sun Devil bats at bay. ASU put up 19 hits on the Rebels, a season high for ASU and for UNLV. 

In the match-up Renee Welty was on fire, as she went 4-for-4 with a run scored and five RBI as she hit her ninth home run of the season off a 1-2 pitch in the second inning off the Rebels before rattling off three more singles, each for at least one RBI a piece throughout the rest of the game.

The Sun Devils return to action and Pac-10 play this weekend as they host Part 2 of the `Duel in the Desert' taking on in-state rival next weekend in Tempe at Farrington Stadium. Games are set for Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m. which will also be aired live on Fox Sports Net. While most tickets have sold out, ASU is rolling in 420 extra bleacher seats into right field for the event, call now for your tickets.