College Sports

The Arizona State Sun Devils softball team won it’s first NCAA championship in style, posting an 11-0 win over Texas A&M. The margin of victory is the largest in a shutout in a WCWS clinching game, and tied for second only to Arizona’s 12-0 win over Fresno State in the first round of the 1989 NCAA’s.

The Sun Devils are coached by ASU alum Clint Myers, who took over the program three years ago. Myers never intended to be a women’s softball coach. He took over the program at Central Arizona Junior College in 1985, with the idea that he would become the men’s baseball coach eventually.

While waiting for that opportunity, he led his team to six national titles, while compiling a .917 winning percentage in 11 seasons. He then took over the baseball program, and led it to the 2002 national championship.

Myers decided to give up all his teaching and athletic department responsibilities and concentrate on baseball, but ASU athletic director Lisa Love made him an offer he couldn’t turn down, asking him to return to his alma mater to coach the women’s team.

Myers played on the Sun Devils’ College World Series teams in 1972 and 1973, each of which fell to Southern Cal by one run in the national title game.

ASU finishes the season with a 66-5 record.

The Sun Devils were led by pitcher Katie Burkhart, who threw a four-hitter to dominate the Aggies. She struck out 13 in the game, earning her 11th straight decision.

ASU led 4-0 entering the seventh inning, but turned the game into a rout with seven runs in the seventh to seal the win.

ASU finishes the season with a 66-5 record.

And Myers finally had his first championship with his alma mater.