April 7, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - Behind a combined pitching performance from Erica Beach and Kirsten Voak, the eighth-ranked Arizona State softball team (33-9, 3-2 Pac-10) defeated Washington (32-12, 1-4 Pac-10), 6-1 this afternoon at Farrington Stadium. The win completes a three game weekend series sweep over top-ranked UCLA and 10th-ranked Washington.
Arizona State wasted no time scoring as Beach smashed her fifth home run of the year and 25th of her career in the second inning off UW's Ashley Boek (12-2) to put ASU up 1-0.
ASU would tag on two more in the fourth inning. Phelan Wright walked to start the inning followed by a Beach single to move Wright to third. Beach was then lifted for pinch runner Kari Reidhead. Pitcher Leslie Scott then replaced Boek for the Huskies.
The Sun Devils scored one run on a throwing error by the Washington catcher who was trying to pick Reidhead off first, but the throw was wide right of the bag and went into the outfield as Wright came home. After Reidhead stole second, Adriana Garcia singled to center to drive in Reidhead to put ASU up 3-0
ASU would put another run up in the fifth when Nichole Thompson hit a double to left center field, scoring Kristin Farber, who reached earlier on a fielder's choice.
The Sun Devils put the game away in the sixth inning with two more runs off one Husky error. Kara Brun singled to center and moved to second when Voak walked. Garcia, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, then singled to center field, driving in Brun and advancing to second when the UW center fielder over threw home plate. Farber then hit an infield single to plate the final run of the game.
Washington avoided the shutout in the seventh by scoring one run off a Courtney Jeffries double.
Beach (20-6) started the game, going five innings, allowing only two hits with four strikeouts. Voak pitched the final two innings, giving up four hits and one unearned run.
Up next, Arizona State hits the road for the first time this year as they travel to Eugene, Oregon to face the Ducks on Friday, April12 at 2:00 p.m. ASU will then head over to Corvallis for a two game set against Oregon State on Saturday and Sunday.