Burkhart's no-hit gem leads ASU to victory

 by Steven Falkenhagen
 published on Thursday, March 20, 2008

Jeffrey Lowman / THE STATE PRESS

ZIPPIN’ ACROSS THE DIAMOND: Sophomore infielder Ashley Muenz throws the ball to first base for an out in the first of two games against Santa Clara on March 15.

It's becoming almost a standard now for the 2008 ASU softball team. The recipe for success includes dominant pitching combined with timely hitting, and smart softball.

The Sun Devils (31-1) defeated Utah (14-13) in their first game of the Judi Garman Classic held in Fullerton, Calif.

ASU extended its winning streak to 28 games on Wednesday. The Sun Devils, ranked No. 1 in the USA Softball/ESPN.com poll, hasn't given up a run in 14 consecutive innings.

Senior ace pitcher Katie Burkhart (15-1) pitched another gem, this one a complete game no-hitter. Burkhart struck out 16 batters, only allowing three batters to reach base. All three batters reached after being hit by pitch. No Ute batter advanced past second base. Burkhart pitched her 10th complete game of the season and lowered her season ERA to 0.40.

Utah sophomore pitcher Ashley Smuda — a Scottsdale Horizon High School native — matched Burkhart's scoreless performance until the fourth inning. An error by Utah sophomore first baseman Kara Foster allowed ASU senior leftfielder Jackie Vasquez to reach first base. Junior center fielder Kaitlin Cochran capitalized on the mistake by belting a two-run homer to right field to start the ASU scoring. Cochran currently has eight home runs on the season. Cochran also leads the team with a .500 batting average.

ASU got its third run tagged on in the fifth inning by senior shortstop Rhiannon Baca, who reached base on a bunt to open up the inning.

After a bunt and a single advancing her to third, the Sun Devils orchestrated a double steal to bring Baca in following a Cochran groundout.

The game was close throughout, even with Burkhart's no-hit performance. In the top of the seventh inning, the Utes attempted to stage a late rally. After two outs to open the inning, Burkhart hit two batters and brought Utah junior shortstop Sharee Fonoti to the plate as the trying run. Burkhart bore down and got the strikeout for the victory.

The Sun Devils don't have much time to savor their victory. They have a 5 a.m. wake-up call on Thursday to get ready for their 9 a.m. game against Florida State. After a quick lunch break, the Sun Devils face Illinois at 1:30 p.m.

Reach the reporter at: steven.falkenhagen@asu.edu.