March 3, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. - Behind a two hit performance from Kristen Swetel and Kirsten Voak, the ninth-ranked Arizona State softball team (14-5) shut out Santa Clara, 4-0 tonight at Farrington Stadium.
The win also marked 12th-year Head Coach Linda Wells 400th career win at Arizona State.
Swetel (3-1) pitched five innings, limiting the Broncos to two hits. Voak, who posted her first save of the year, came in for the final two innings to shut the door on Santa Clara as she struck out three batters.
The Sun Devils broke open the game in the fifth inning as they scored three times. With one out, Nichole Thompson doubled to left center field. Kara Brun then singled to center field, advancing Thompson to third. Erica Beach hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Thompson home and advance Brun to third.
Sara Kaher then singled to center field to plate Brun. After Alicia Flangan pinch ran for Kahler, she stole second. Missy Hixon then singled to left field to bring Flanagan home.
Arizona State would add one more run in the sixth. Jennifer Forner sliced a triple to left field. Kristin Farber then hit a sacrifice to the second baseman, allowing Forner to come home.
Thompson went 2-for-4 with a double and a run, while Hixon went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI.
The two teams will finish the three-game series with the rubber match on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.