Softball Stuns No. 2 Arizona State in Eight, 6-4

Sunday, March 18

Fullerton, Calif.

11:30 AM

NC State

21-10

Arizona State

29-5

NC State

Arizona State

Softball Stuns No. 2 Arizona State in Eight, 6-4

3/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. – Jen Chamberlin slugged a two-run double to left to move NC State past No. 2 Arizona State in the consolation semifinals of the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif., on Sunday, March 18. The Pack downed its second top-10 opponent in three days on nine hits. Abbie Sims (12-3) collected the win, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out 14. Katie Burkhart (13-3) took the loss. With the win, NC State moves to 21-10 (2-1 ACC) on the year, while the Sun Devils fall to 29-5.

The win over the No. 2 squad in the country marks the highest-ranked opponent that head coach Lisa Navas’ four-year-old program has ever defeated. It is also the Pack's first-ever win over a Pac-10 opponent (1-3).

The Wolfpack got a head start with two early runs in the top of the first. Heather Gelbard took first on a throwing error by shortstop Rhiannon Baca and was replaced by Beth Poore on the basepath. Blair Harkey then moved Poore to second with a bunt single to third and Abbie Sims advanced both with a groundout to first. With runners on second and third with two outs, Allison Presnell sent a single up the middle, scoring Gelbard and Harkey.

Jackie Vasquez led off the bottom of the first with a single to left-center, but Sims got Kaitlin Cochran to fly out to Megan Dalthorp in left, before fanning Bianca Cruz and Mindy Cowles to end the inning.

The Suns Devils took over with two two-run blasts in the bottom of the third. Cruz sent a shot to right-center to tie the ball game, and two at-bats later Caylyn Carlson nailed one over the fence in left, putting ASU up 4-2.

Sims tied things up in the top of the fourth with a two-run double to left. Laura Klem and Harkey both walked before Jen Chamberlin loaded the bases with a single through the circle. That’s when Sims helped herself out, crushing a pitch to left and bringing in Klem and Harkey. Chamberlin, however, was thrown out at the plate on the relay throw, attempting to score from first.

Presnell walked to start the top of the fifth, and Arizona State replaced Megan Elliott with Katie Burkhart in the circle. Following a pop out by Smith, Ervin doubled down the left-line, sending Presnell to third. Krystal Hawkins then came on to run in Ervin’s place. Dalthorp followed with a fielder’s choice to third, but Presnell was tagged out at the plate. Claudia Cooper then struck out looking to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Cochran singled to left with one out and stole second as Sims caught Cruz looking. Cowles then walked, but Sims came right back and struck out Carlson.

Cochran and Cruz both walked with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Sims struck out Mindy Cowles to force extra innings.

Dalthrop began the top of the eighth on second for State, and then moved to third on a sac-bunt by Klem. Gelbard was then hit by a pitch and moved to first. Jennifer Patterson followed by collecting a pinch-hit single to load the bases for Chamberlin. Chamberlin then lined a two-run double to left, putting the Pack up 6-4 for good.

Cowles started the bottom of the eighth for the Sun Devils on second. Sims struck out Carlson for the first out. Michelle Smith then lined to short, and Smith tossed the ball to Klem at second to double up Cowles and end the game.

NC State will now play in the consolation championship game later today against either No. 8 Texas or No. 12 Washington. Game time is slated at 4 p.m. EST.