TEMPE, Ariz.--Hillary Bach tossed a three-hit shutout as #9/12 Arizona State University defeated North Dakota State University by the score of 3-0 in game one of the best of three NCAA Division I Super Regional series played Friday, May 22, before 1,380 spectators at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium. It was the fourth largest crowd to watch a NDSU softball game.

North Dakota State (38-19) and the defending national champion Sun Devils (45-17) play at 3:30 p.m. (Central) on Saturday, May 23 in game two. The Bison would need to win to force a game three, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Bach, who improved to 29-9, retired the last 13 batters she faced after allowing an Elisa Victa single to center in the third inning. Bach struck out three and issued no walks over seven innings. It was Bach's 13th shutout of the season and fourth in this year's NCAA tournament.

The third inning provided North Dakota State its best chance to score. B singled to right field with one out and moved to second on Nicole Rivera's ground out to third. Victa singled to put Briones on third. However, Bach retired Melissa Chmielewski on a fly ball to center field. Chmielewski did have one of the three Bison hits.

Arizona State broke out on top 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning. Taylor Haro singled through the right side, moved to second on a Katie Crabb sacrifice bunt and scored on Lesley Rogers two-out double to left center.

The Sun Devils extended the lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning with a pair of runs on three hits and sacrifice flies from both Kaylyn Castillo and Haro. Six different ASU players finished with a base hit in the game.

North Dakota State pitcher Andi Padilla (26-11) struggled with her control during the contest with five walks and a strikeout.

However, the defense picked up the Bison. Center fielder Taylor Lynn recorded a career-high five putouts in the contest including a diving grab of a line drive in left center with runners on second and third in the fourth inning. Third baseman Breanna Konz also snared a line drive.

North Dakota State catcher Kelly Cantrell turned in a solid defensive effort before the ESPNU and ESPN2 audience. Cantrell picked off one ASU baserunner off second and threw out one of two attempting to steal. She has picked up 10 baserunners this season and 16 of 31 attempting to steal.

NDSU has not committed an error in 31.2 innings and 126 fielding chances since the second Summit League championship game against Western Illinois on May 9. The Bison have a .977 fielding percentage overall.