Nicole Deatherage |
SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Arizona State scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Sacramento State, 2-1, in the opening day of the National Invitational Softball Tournament Friday afternoon at the Twin Creeks Sports Complex.The Hornets (8-10) had their four-game winning streak snapped while falling to 0-1 at the three-day tournament. Sacramento State returns to action later this evening (6 p.m.) to take on Minnesota. Arizona State, which is ranked 20th in the nation, improved to 26-10 overall and 2-0 at the tournament.
The loss spoiled Sacramento State starter Nicole Deatherage’s solid effort as she allowed the Sun Devils just four hits and two unearned runs in 8.1 innings. Deatherage, who gave up just two hits through the first eight innings of the game, dropped to 4-3 with the loss. The right-hander walked one and struck out four, while retiring the first eight batters of the game in succession and coming back later in the contest to retire 10 in a row.
The Hornets broke a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth on a two-out, RBI-single from junior Amy Hillel. The Hornets had two hits in the inning and finished the contest with just three hits. Arizona State starter Desiree Serrano (5.2 ip) and reliever Bre DeSanta (3.1 ip) combined to allow Sacramento State just one unearned run and three hits while striking out 11 batters.
The international tie-breaker rule (placing a runner at second base to open an inning) was put into effect after the game remained scoreless through seven innings. Arizona State pinch runner Kari Reidhead was placed on second to open the ninth inning and was quickly moved to third after Katie Cobos reached on a fielders choice. Kristin Farber followed with an RBI-single to tie the game at 1-1. After Deatherage struck out Trisha Tornberg for the first out of the inning, Valerie Sevilla followed with a single to center field. Katie Cobos, who had been on second base, advanced to third on the single and scored on Hornet center fielder Lindy Winkler’s error.
DeSanta (9-3) picked up the win for Arizona State. Despite picking up the loss, Deatherage has now gone 22.1-consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
Based on the outcome of tonight’s game against Minnesota, the Hornets will be placed into bracket play beginning on Saturday, March 13.
