May 15, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. -
The San Diego State softball team dropped a 5-0 decision to defending national champion and No. 9/12 Arizona State in its NCAA opener Friday night at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Aztecs (33-19) will play Cal State Fullerton (29-20) in an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, while the 10th-seeded Sun Devils (41-16) will meet LSU (33-16-1) at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
SDSU had its chances at the plate, but collectively went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-14 with runners on base. San Diego State also left seven runners on base in a game that was broadcast live on ESPN.
Seniors Erin Floros (San Diego/Mt. Carmel HS), Tonye McCorkle (Santa Ana Heights, Calif.) and Taryin Casillas (San Diego/Grossmont HS), and juniors Brittany Knudsen (San Diego/Escondido HS) and Monica Alnes (Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) each singled for the Aztecs. SDSU hit the ball hard at times, but Arizona State came up with some solid plays in the field to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
The Sun Devils' broke open a one-run game in the fourth with three scores after San Diego State pitchers Bailey Micetich (Woodland, Calif.) and Samantha Beasley (San Diego/Steele Canyon HS) struggled to find command of the plate. After giving up consecutive singles, Micetich was replaced by Beasley with Arizona State's top of the order due up. Beasley, however, couldn't get an out against three batters as she issued two walks and hit a batter to put two more runs on the board. Micetich returned before a passed ball by Floros allowed another run to score.
Krista Donnenwith drove in the Sun Devils' other two runs with a single in the first and sixth inning, respectively.
Micetich (19-7) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits and a walk over six innings. She struck out three. Beasley did not record an out while walking two and hitting a batter.
The Aztecs' game against the Titans tomorrow can be seen on ESPNU, beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT. If SDSU wins that game, it will meet the Arizona State-LSU loser at approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first contest.