No. 2 softball splits in final day of the Sportco Classic

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The No. 2 Sun Devil Softball Team wrapped opening weekend on Sunday at the Sportco Classic which saw ASU take game one against Loyola 8-6 and fall to UNLV 2-1. The Sun Devils are now 3-1 overall as Loyola falls to 2-3 and UNLV advances to 3-1.

ASU came out firing in game one versus the Ramblers as Jackie Vasquez jumped on-base with a single followed with a walk to Kaitlin Cochran before Krista Donnenwirth dug in to hit her first career home run with a three-run shot deep to left center. Jackie Vasquez made another contribution in the second as well with a two-RBI double to left center to plate Kristen Miller and Rhiannon Baca.

Two costly errors in the bottom of the third cost the Sun Devils four runs as the Ramblers stormed back to push the score to 6-4. ASU tacked on two more in the fourth as Amanda Nesbitt pitched 5.1 innings before Megan Elliott came in to get the save and close out the win.

In game two versus the Rebels, UNLV jumped on the scoreboard first after a dropped third strike and two passed balls allowed one to score for the Rebels. Caylyn Carlson stepped up to tie it with a solo shot to right field which she tore off the scoreboard.

The Sun Devil offense couldn't do much more though as UNLV's Stephanie Bregante shut them down allowing only three hits and striking out five. The deciding moment came in the bottom of the seventh, as UNLV's Stephanie Bean stepped up to hit a 2-2 pitch deep to left field in a walk-off win for the Rebels.

Up next, the Sun Devils return home to open the 2008 home slate as they set to host the Big Red of Western Kentucky on Thursday, February 14 before holding the Kajikawa Classic Feb. 15-17 in Tempe at Farrington Stadium and Tempe Sports Complex. The first 100 women through the gates on the February 14 will also receive a free flower!