May 10, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - A four run fourth inning was the difference in the game as sixth-ranked Washington (42-16, 11-8 Pac-10) came back from two runs down to defeat fourth-ranked Arizona State (40-16, 10-9 Pac-10), 5-2, today in Seattle, Washington.
Arizona State got on the board early off Washington pitcher Tia Bollinger (19-9) with one run in the first inning off two hits. Missy Hixon walked to open the inning and then advanced to third base when Kara Brun laced a single to right field. Phelan Wright followed with another single to right field to score Hixon.
The Sun Devils went up 2-0 in the third. Nichole Thompson drew a walk to start. After consecutive fly outs, Erica Beach also earned a walk to put runners on first and second. Erin Wardein then singled down the left field line to score Thompson from second.
The Huskies then put four runs on the board in the fourth inning and never trailed again. Blair Holck (0-1) came in to pitch for Beach. Courtney Jefferies then reached on an error by Wardein at first and moved to second on a wild pitch by Holck. Megan Owen then hit an infield single, followed by another walk to Steph Nicholson to load the bases. Beach then came back in to pitch and gave up a single to Rita Roach, scoring Jefferies. Jamie Clark then capped the inning with a double to right filed, driving in three more runs for the 4-2 advantage. ASU made its third pitching change of the inning when Kristen Swetel came in to retire the final two UW batters.
UW tagged one more on in the sixth inning. Clark hit a triple to deep center field that went off the wall. ASU then threw the ball back to the pitcher, but time was not called and Clark stole home.
Ashley Boek no hit the Sun Devils for the final three innings in relief of Bollinger.
Up next, Arizona State heads to Los Angeles where they will end the regular season with a doubleheader against top-ranked UCLA on Saturday, beginning at 1:00 p.m.