May 3, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. - A four run first inning by the eighth-ranked Stanford Cardinal (40-14, 5-11 Pac-10) was just the beginning of a final 9-1 win in six innings over fourth-ranked Arizona State (38-15, 8-8 Pac-10) tonight at Farrington Stadium.
Stanford jumped on Arizona State starter Erica Beach (25-12) with three straight hits, including a double by Sarah Beeson to drive in the first run. Kira Ching followed with another double to drive in two more and then advanced to third on an error by left fielder Jennifer Forner. Ching then capped the inning by scoring on a wild pitch by Beach.
The Cardinal put one more run up in the third when Ching singled in Jessica Mendoza from third. Arizona State would get one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Phelan Wright singled to left field and Erin Wardein also singled to center, moving Wright to third. Kristin Farber then popped the ball over the first baseman's head into right field to score Wright.
However, Stanford answered in the fifth inning. With two runners on base, Beach was lifted for Kirsten Voak who then gave up a three-run homerun over the left field scoreboard to Jessica Allister. Stanford scored once more in the sixth, as they did in the third. Mendoza reached second on a two base error in left field and then advanced to third by a Beeson ground out. Ching then stepped to the plate and deliver another RBI single to center for the final 9-1 margin.
Six total pitchers were used between the two teams. Stanford's Tori Nyberg (23-8) pitched the first three innings before giving way to Maureen LeCocq for the fourth and fifth innings. Elizabeth Bendig pitched he final sixth inning. Beach started the game for ASU and then reentered twice more. She was relived by Voak for two-thirds of an inninng and Blair Holck, who pitched one inning with one hit.
Farber and Wardein each collected two hits to lead the Sun Devils at the plate.
Up next, Arizona State hosts fifth-ranked California on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with a live broadcast on KAZ-TV.