Bronco Softball Team Earns Split at Prestigious Judi Garman Classic

#5 Arizona State stopped Boise State's winning streak at 12, but solid Bronco pitching shut down the mighty Nittany Lion bats to earn a split yesterday at the Judi Garman Softball Classic in Fullerton.  The Garman Classic annually draws in some of the top softball teams in the nation and this year is no exception.  Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Washington, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Illinois and the fifth-ranked ASU team are some of the many teams participating.


The Sun Devils were explosive in dealing Boise State a 9-3 loss yesterday afternoon.  ASU scored two runs in the first inning when Alix Johnson doubled, marking the first time the Broncos had trailed in 76 innings.  The high-powered Devil offense plated two unearned runs in the second and then broke the game open with three more runs in the third and another in the fourth.  


The Broncos rallied from the 8-0 deficit in the fourth as junior Kellie Caplan led off with a single.  After two outs, Devon Bridges and Vanessa Alvarez each singled to bring Caplan home with Boise State's first run of the game.  Lela Work followed with a single, but pinch-runner Brittany Barcellos was gunned down trying to score.  


Arizona State scored again in the top of the sixth to make it 9-1but the Broncos answered.  Caplan, Bourke and Crump bunched singles together to score another run.  Crump's RBI-single through the right side of the infield drove in Caplan.  Bridges then walked to load the bases and Alvarez drove in Bourke with a fielder's choice.  Another walk loaded the bases but the Broncos could not capitalize again. 


 Arizona State advanced to 30-2 with the win while Boise State saw its winning streak end at 12.


Boise State would bounce back in the nightcap by stifling Penn State 1-0.  Coach Erin Thorpe's team got just two hits but the superb hurling of Aubray Zell kept the Nittany Lions away from home plate.  


Zell fired her third complete game shutout of the season and did not allow a walk in thoroughly confusing the Nittany Lions.  Zell scattered three hits in picking up the victory.

Boise State scored what would prove the game-winner in the third as freshman Mackenzie Whyte led off with a single.  Caplan reached safely on a PSU error and one out later Crump walked to load the bases.  After the second out, Alvarez drew a walk to force Whyte in with the unearned run.  Boise State threatened again in the fifth when Caplan reached third base with one out, but she was thrown out trying to score on Crump's grounder.


Zell (5-1) retired the Nittany Lionettes in order in the fourth and worked out of trouble in the fifth.  Penn State had something going with a leadoff hit, an error and a passed ball that put two runners in scoring position with two outs.  Zell got a ground ball to end the inning nad once again retired the side in order in the seventh to preserve the Bronco victory.



Boise State is now 15-9 while Penn State fell to 13-11 this season.  


The Broncos once again go for the program's first win over a ranked team when they meet #4 Washington this afternoon at 2 Mountain Time.  Boise State will then face host Cal State Fullerton at 4:30.