TEMPE, Ariz.
– The Oregon Ducks made a valiant effort on Friday night to erase Arizona
State’s four-run lead in the seventh, but it was too little to late as the
seventh-ranked Sun Devils defeated 14th-ranked Oregon, 4-2 at
Farrington Stadium.
Arizona State’s
Katie Burkhart proved why she is one of the top pitchers in the nation,
pitching a perfect game through six innings, but Oregon
senior second baseman Suzie Barnes spoiled that attempt leading off the seventh
with a walk.
Freshman Jenn Salling then homered to center field, her 11th
of the year, to ruin Burkhart’s attempt at a no hitter. Salling continues to
lead the team with 60 RBIs. Senior Ann Marie Topps also singled in the game.
Burkhart (22-8) struck out 10 Oregon
batters, dropping the Ducks record to 38-9 on the year and 3-6 in the Pacific-10.
The Sun Devils improve to 41-10 on the year and 7-3 in conference.
Burkhart was aided by Arizona
State second baseman Mindy Cowles,
who hit two home runs in the game, a two run shot to dead center in the fourth,
and a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.
Oregon sophomore
Melissa Rice (20-7) did some excellent work of her own in the circle, before
surrendering three runs off four consecutive hits in the bottom of the fourth. Rice
allowed four runs on six hits in six innings of work.
The Ducks have now dropped their last four games in Pac-10
play.
Oregon
continues its road trip through Arizona,
heading to Tucson, playing the
third-ranked Wildcats on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Ducks end their road trip with a 12 p.m.
start at Arizona on Sunday.
