The Creighton softball team took No. 1 ASU into extra innings in

Tempe on Tuesday, making it quite apparent it can run toe-to-toe with just about any team in the country.

Creighton (12-7) eventually lost to the Sun Devils 1-0 in 10 innings, but the closely contested game with the nation’s best team got the No. 7 Wildcats’ full attention heading into the Wildcat Classic last night.

Maybe the Bluejays would have preferred to fly under the radar, as Arizona strung together dominant pitching and timely hitting to shut them out 6-0 in the first game of the tournament.

“”ASU is a very good ballclub, and to know that (Creighton) can battle ASU for 10 innings says something,”” said Arizona interim head coach Larry Ray. “”They were a good ballclub, they have some kids that can swing that bat a little bit, and I was impressed with that No. 1 pitcher (Tara Oltman).””

Arizona ace Taryne Mowatt settled back into her championship form after a rocky start in which she gave up eight earned runs in the season opener against then-No. 3 Northwestern.

Mowatt (6-3) looked dominant in the circle, allowing only two hits in a complete game shutout. The senior struck out 11 Creighton batters.

“”Taryne looked good,”” Ray said, “”but this weekend we are going to get a chance to see all of our pitching staff.””

Since her opening-day debacle, Mowatt has only given up nine earned runs total in her last seven starts, just one more than in her shaky start against Northwestern in the opening weekend.

Mowatt figures she is just following her trend set last season, as she recorded arguably one of the best seasons for a pitcher in Arizona history after a less-than-stellar start.

“”I just kind

of feel like once I get into a groove and I get on a roll I start picking up speed a little bit,”” Mowatt said. “”That hard part of all that is getting on that roll.””

Arizona had no problem jumpstarting its offense, as Creighton’s defense struggled in the field by posting five errors. After getting a run in the first inning, the Wildcats got on the board for three more unearned runs backed by poor Bluejay defense.

Arizona third baseman Janae Leles led the Wildcats with two hits and two RBIs. Freshman outfield Brittany Lastrapes continued her impressive play from the leadoff position, scoring runs off both of them.

“”I changed a couple little things with my swing and my timing seems to be a little bit better,”” Leles said. “”I am not trying to swing for the fence. I am just swinging for line drives to get RBIs and just doing my job.””

Arizona continues the tournament against La Salle at 4 p.m. and will play take on Creighton again tonight at 6. The Wildcats will repeat the aforementioned schedule once again tomorrow.

“”I was pretty pleased (with our performance tonight). Any time you can get a run in the first inning you are going to be happy,”” Ray said. “”We don’t know much about La Salle, but we did learn a little about Creighton, so we are looking forward to continuing the games this weekend.””