UCLA
Arizona St
Bruin Softball Defeats Arizona State, 5-1
April 15, 2000 | Softball
April 15, 2000
LOS ANGELES - The third-ranked UCLA softball team returned to the "win" column on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 4 Arizona State by a 5-1 margin. The win boosts UCLA to 32-6 (7-1 Pac-10), while the Sun Devils fall to 36-10 (4-6 Pac-10).
Arizona State started off the day with a hit by second baseman Missy Hixon, after a brutal evening of travel brought ASU to their Southern California hotel at 3 a.m. PT. UCLA also started off the bottom of the first inning with a hit, a double off the wall in right center by centerfielder Amanda Freed. Freed then advanced to third base on a single by second baseman Lyndsey Klein and scored on a fielders choice by catcher Julie Marshall.
The Bruins held a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning, when Freed led off wth a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundout by shortstop Natasha Watley and scored on a sacrifice fly by Klein.
Arizona State notched their only run of the game in the top of the sixth inning, when designated player Kirsten Voak walked and then scored on a double to right field by shortstop Kara Brun. Holding a 2-1 lead, the Bruins posted three additional runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, starting with a leadoff double by Klein, an RBI single by Marshall. From there, third baseman Julie Adams walked, and with Erin Rahn running for Marshall and Crissy Buck running for Adams, designated player Courtney Dale grounded out to advance the runners to second and third with one out. Tairia Mims then hit Rahn home on a fielders choice, and right fielder Toria Auelua notched an RBI, scoring Buck on a 6-3 groundout.
UCLA started the top of the seventh inning with a spectacular defensive play by Watley to take care of catcher Andrea Rogers, before Erin Wardein grounded out and pinch hitter Dee Wathen struck out to end the game.
The Bruins and Sun Devils return to the field at Easton Stadium on Sunday for the final contest of the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
