Softball falls in exhibition doubleheader to Team Canada

The No. 2 Sun Devil Softball Team ventured into international play on Tuesday afternoon as they held an exhibition doubleheader against Team Canada which saw them fall 3-2 in the first game and 10-0 in the second. Canada will now continue its preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing as the Sun Devils gear up for their third home tournament of the season this weekend with the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational. 

Game one saw a marquee match-up of Lauren Bay-Regula versus the Sun Devil ace, Katie Burkhart. Both were showcasing solid pitching until the third when Canada struck first with a lead-off double from Melanie Matthews. A sacrifice bunt put Matthews on third with one out as third baseman Erin McLean hit a bloop to Burkhart to looked to have Matthews out at home, but a wild throw allowed the run to score and place McLean on second. Another double from Jennifer Yee plated McLean as Canada took the lead 2-0.

ASU retaliated in the fourth though as Mindy Cowles singled to left field where she was followed by Kristen Miller who rallied at the plate to come back from 1-2 to pull to a full count before she launched a two-run shot over right field to tie it at two apiece. 

Canada took the lead for the last and final time again in the sixth though as Jennifer Yee stepped in for another big hit as she took an 0-1 pitch deep to right field to set the score at it's final resting place of 3-2 in favor of Canada.

Game two saw mostly ASU newcomers take the field as nine new Sun Devils graced the field behind Megan Elliott. Elliott pitched a solid outing allowing only five hits and two earned runs, but three Sun Devil errors cost the Sun Devils ten runs as Canada capitalized scoring all of their runs in innings with ASU errors. Jessica Mapes, Kaitlin Cochran and Michelle Nulliner all went 1-for-2 in the game to make up the entire Sun Devil hit tally in the game as Canada cruised to their second win over ASU. 

Next up, the Sun Devils gear up to host the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational this weekend which includes Arkansas, Drake, San Jose State, Creighton and BYU. Play begins on Friday and continues through the weekend in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.