Softball clinches Wilson/DiMarini Invitational title

A masterful two-hit complete game shutout from Megan Elliott and big RBI hits from Mandy Urfer and Jessica Mapes spelled the story Sunday afternoon as the No. 8 Sun Devil Softball team collected the Wilson/DiMarini Invitational title with a 5-0 win over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. The Sun Devils are now 18-4 overall after wrapping their last home tournament of the season.

Megan Elliott came out with her game face on to shut down the Thunderbird offense through seven complete as the ASU got their offense rolling in the with back-to-back singles from Ashley Muenz and Krista Donnenwirth who got sent home with a bases-clearing double to right field that Mandy Urfer ripped on the first pitch she laid eyes on. An RBI single from Jessica Mapes brought around the third run to wrap two complete with a 3-0 Sun Devil lead.

A single from Katelyn Boyd in the third got the show started as Boyd went on to steal second and third base, two of ASU’s four stolen bases on the day. Krista Donnewirth collected another RBI to bring in Boyd and a T-Bird error brought in Caylyn Carlson to round out the score at 5-0.

Elliott hit cruise control on the rest of the game, shutting down the Southern Utah bats, en route to her fourth win of the season and ASU’s fifth shutout of the year.

The game wraps the Wilson/DiMarini Invitational and ASU’s home tournament schedule. Up next, the Sun Devils host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in a three-game series next weekend starting on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.