ASU aims to turn tables in rivalry game, takes first shot at UA

 by Steven Falkenhagen
 published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Deanna Dent / THE STATE PRESS

FEELING THE HEAT: ASU junior outfielder Kaitlin Cochran watches as a pitch goes while at bat against Marshall on March 25. The No. 2 Sun Devils play No. 7 UA on Wednesday in Tucson.

This is the game the ASU softball team has had circled since its season schedule came out.

It's the first of three meetings between ASU and UA.

The No. 2 Sun Devils (41-2, 5-0 Pac-10) will march onto a bus this morning with one mission in mind — to beat No. 8 UA (27-10, 4-2 Pac-10) in Tucson. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. start time.

ASU will try to defeat UA on Wildcat turf for the first time in 20 years. That's right — the Sun Devils have not beaten their down-the-road rival in Pima County since 1988.

For a little perspective, in 1988, Jose Canseco became the first player in baseball history to have 40 home runs and 40 steals in one season. He was also named American League MVP. Mike Scioscia, current manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, was the starting catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But much has occurred since the season began two months ago. For one thing, two-time defending national champion UA was the undisputed No. 1 team in the land to begin the season. But a string of losses has knocked the Wildcats from its top spot. UA is coming off of a 3-2 loss to Oregon on Sunday. On the other hand, ASU was on the right side of a 3-2 outcome against the same Oregon team on Saturday.

The Sun Devils currently are enjoying a 10-game winning streak as the second-best team in the nation. The last time they lost was on March 20 against Florida State in the Judi Garman Classic held in Fullerton, Calif. ASU's only other loss this season was also at an out-of-state tournament. The Sun Devils dropped their fourth game of the season on Feb. 10 against host UNLV at its tournament.

This will be the first time in a long time that ASU will go into the intrastate rivalry match-up with a higher ranking than UA.

In a sign of unity, all of the Sun Devil players will make the trip, including the red-shirts.

Senior Katie Burkhart (22-2) will make the start for the Sun Devils. She will face senior ace Taryne Mowatt (16-7), who was an instrumental part in UA's success in the College World Series last season.

ASU is still working on its Achilles heel — plating runners who are in scoring position.

Last weekend, in their first game against Oregon State, the Sun Devils had 12 hits off Beaver pitching, but only managed to score three runs.

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