April 26, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - A costly seventh inning in which 16th-ranked Oregon State (35-16, 6-7 Pac-10) scored two runs was all that was needed as fifth-ranked Arizona State (37-12, 7-5 Pac-10) dropped a 2-0 decision to the Beavers tonight at Farrington Stadium.
In another pitcher's dual Erica Beach (24-9) kept Oregon State off the bases until the seventh inning. Brynnen Guthrie opened the inning with an infield single to short and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Shelly Prochaska then hit a ground ball to third base, which would have been a double play, but was only thrown out at first as Gutherie stayed on second. Traci Feldt followed with single to shallow center field, that ASU center fielder Kristin Farber mishandled, allowing Guthrie to score and Feldt to go to second.
After a sacrifice to move the runner to third, Steph Adams nailed a shot to second base that glanced off Missy Hixon, allowing the runner to score for the final 2-0 edge.
The Sun Devils went down in order in the seventh, but ASU did have its chances as they left eight runners stranded during the game.
Oregon State's Monica Hoffman tossed the first four inning, scattering three hits with four strikeouts, while Crystal Draper (12-4) finished the final three innings, allowing one hit for the win.
Beach went the distance, allowing seven hits with one earned run and three strikeouts. Hixon led ASU as she had two of the Sun Devils four hits.
Up next, Arizona State hosts Oregon on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports Net.