Softball Overwhelms Arizona State In Pac-10 Opener

Saturday, April 3

Tempe, Ariz.

7:00 PM

University of Washington

1-0, 1-0

Arizona State

0-1, 0-1

Washington

Arizona State

Kristen Rivera Named To The 2004 Women's Elite Softball Team

April 03, 2004 | Softball

Box Score

By: Washington Athletics

April 3, 2004

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz.- The seventh-ranked Washington softball team (25-7) used the long ball this evening to defeated No. 24 Arizona State 9-1 in its Pac-10 opener. The Huskies pounded a season-best 15 hits off of the Sun Devils, including four home runs to run away with the victory. Washington improves to 25-7 (1-0 Pac-10), while ASU drops to 30-15 (0-1 Pac-10).

The Sun Devils struck first with a leadoff home run by Valarie Sevilla over the centerfield fence. It would be the only run UW starter Ashley Boek (16-4) would allow however as she held ASU to two hits over six innings.

The Huskies quickly knotted the score at one apiece in the second inning when Kathy Fiske hit a solo shot over the centerfield wall. It marked her second home run in the last four games.

Washington took the lead in the third inning when Sarah Hyatt blasted her seventh home run of the season off the Arizona State scoreboard in left field. The home run marked the 14th of her career to rank her ninth on the UW all-time charts.

The Huskies put the game away in the fourth inning with Kristen Rivera's first career grand slam and 53rd career home run. The towering drive landed in the top of the palm trees behind the centerfield wall to give UW the 6-1 lead.

Rivera added another home run in the sixth frame over the left field wall to put the Huskies up 7-1. It marked the second time this season Rivera has hit back-to-back dingers. She finished the game 3-for-5 with a career-best six runs batted in.

Boek shut down the ASU offense, not allowing a base runner past first base and retiring 13 in a row between the first and fifth innings. Boek picked up the victory as she held the Sun Devils to two hits, while walking none and striking out eight.

Tia Bollinger pitched one inning of relief for the Huskies, sitting ASU down in order and striking out two.

ASU's Desiree Seranno took the loss as she gave up 14 hits and nine runs in six innings of work.

Washington will conclude the two-game series at Arizona State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1150 AM or accessed on the UW athletic web site at www.gohuskies.com.