March 29, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - Two single runs in the sixth and seventh innings by second-ranked Arizona (32-4, 1-0 Pac-10) came up as the difference in the game as a new attendance record of 1,614 witnessed sixth-ranked Arizona State (30-8, 0-1 Pac-10) drop the opener of the Pac-10 season, 2-0.
Arizona State's Erica Beach (18-5) and Arizona's Jennie Finch (19-0) had a pitcher's duel going as the two combined to allow only six hits. Beach gave up only two hits, but one was costly as UA's Lovieanne Jung hit a solo home run over the center field fence in the sixth inning.
Beach had a no hitter through five and two-thirds innings before surrendering the homer. UA would tag one more run on in the seventh off of a sacrifice fly by Jenny Gladding.
The Sun Devils threatened Finch in the bottom of the sixth. Missy Hixon singled to right field and was then sacrficed over to second by Nichole Thompson. Phelan Wright then tagged a Finch pitch to deep left field, but fell short as UA's Courtney Fossatti caught the ball on the warning track.
Up next, the two rivals will face off one more time at Farrington Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.