(May 18, 2002)

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2002 Division I Softball Regional No. 3
 Arizona State 3 Defeasts LSU 2 (8 inn.)

LAFAYETTE LA (May 18, 2002) In the game that would give the winner a leg up to reach the NCAA Women's College World Series, the Arizona State Sun Devils took a 3-2 eight inning decision over Louisiana State.

Kara Bren led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to right center, followed by another single to right center by Erica Beach, to put runners at the corners with one out. Erin Wardein became the hero with a shot deep to left field that was caught by Aleshia Perry, but Bren scored easily from third.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Sun Devils were down to their last out, but were able to force extra innings. With Jennifer Forner on second, Nichole Thompson laced a double to the left center gap. Forner scored to tie the game, but Thompson was thrown out trying to turn her double into a three-base hit.

The Sun Devils drew first blood in the second inning. With two outs, Kristin Farber hit a bloop single to right field then stole second to get into scoring position. Adriana Garcia smacked a Kristin Scmidt fastball to in the right field gap for a double to score Farber and give the Sun Devils a 1-0 lead.

It didn't take the Tigers long to respond. In the next half-inning, LSU took advantage of three Sun Devil errors to take a 2-1 lead.

Jennie Reeves led off with a walk and then advanced to third on a Nichole Thompson error at first base and a Aleshia Perry single. With the bases full, Trena Peel reached first on an error by Missy Hixton, scoring Reeves. Blair Smith scored on the third Sun Devil error of the inning, a fielding miscue by pitcher Erica Beach. Beach forced Christy Connor into a fielder's choice and was able to get the Sun Devils out of the inning by forcing Lynam to pop out and striking out Johnson.

LSU will play Arizona State in the Regional Championship game on Sunday, May 19, 2002.  The winner will advance to the College World Series in Oklahoma City.

[Source: NCAA]