Softball Wins Two To Open Diamond Devil Invitational
Solid pitching from Hillary Bach and Mackenzie Popescue coupled with an ASU offense that outscored opponents 24-5 Thursday night gave the No. 7 Sun Devil Softball team two more wins as they topped Campbell 13-4(5) and FGCU 11-1 (5). Bach and Popescue took the wins on the night to move to 5-0 and 6-1 respectively as ASU improved to 21-1 overall.
Game one pitted Hillary Bach against the Campbell Fighting Camels which saw ASU come out at the bell to put three quick runs on CU’s tab with RBIs from Lesley Rogers, Krista Donnenwirth and Annie Lockwood to nab the early lead. CU struck back in the second inning as Taylor McGee hit a solo shot to left field to cut it to 3-1.
Bach tightened it up as the offense let loose in the third plastering five more on the board with a three run longball from Katelyn Boyd leading the way for A State’s offensive melee. Campbell struck again though in the fourth with a two run shot to right center, but a five run bottom of the inning silenced any concerns for ASU as they rolled to a 13-4 win in five innings.
The Sun Devils came out for the nightcap against FGCU with similar fanfaronade as they rocketed to a four run first inning with a bases-clearing three RBI double from Krista Donnenwirth making the headlines. An explosion for seven runs awaited ASU in the second as well as nearly everyone swung the stick for a hit with Katelyn Boydsending her second home run of the day into orbit to make that eight four baggers on the season and push ASU’s lead to 11-0.
Popescue and her Sun Devils brought their d-faces to the game as well with only four hits and one run allowed on the Sun Devil defense as FGCU knocked a solo shot to right field in the third to plate their only run of the game and sealing ASU’s 21st win of 2011.
The Sun Devils will continue action in the Diamond Devil Invitational tomorrow as they face the Howard Bison at 7:30 p.m. in Tempe at Farrington Stadium.