April 30, 2005
EUGENE, Ore. - Arizona State third baseman Ashley Werschky hit a solo home run in the top of the 17th inning to lift the visiting Sun Devils to a 2-1 victory over the University of Oregon softball team before 487 fans at Howe Field Saturday afternoon. With the win, Arizona State improves to 28-18 overall, 3-11 Pacific-10 Conference while the Ducks fall to 28-19, 4-10.
Junior pitcher Amy Harris, who pitched a complete game shutout against Arizona on Friday, threw 14 innings on Saturday and did not allow an earned run. The Eugene native had nine strikeouts and just two walks to drop her season ERA to 1.21. Reliever Alicia Cook took the loss after relieving Harris in the 15th inning while Arizona State pitcher Desiree Serrano, who came in for starter Katie Burkhart in the 11th inning, improved to 12-6 with the win.
Sun Devil catcher Heide Knabe led all players, going 4-for-7 on the day and shortstop Rhiannon Baca was 3-for-6. Werschky was just 1-for-7 in the game, but her lone hit was the game winner.
Arizona State center fielder Bridgette Caron reached on a lead off error to start the game and then went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kim Zadrozny. Knabe's RBI single scored Caron as the Sun Devils took an early 1-0 lead.
Oregon junior Beth Boskovich evened the score in the sixth inning with an RBI single to left center that scored freshman Lovena Chaput, who had singled earlier in the inning.
The two teams combined for nine hits over the next 10 innings before Arizona State was able to take the lead in the 17th. Serrano retired the side in the bottom of the 17th to secure the victory. The Ducks stranded 13 runners while Arizona State left 10 on base.
Burkhart pitched 10 innings, allowing only five hits and one run with six strikeouts. Serrano finished the final seven innings giving up only three hits with two strikeouts.
Oregon and Arizona State will face off again on Sunday at Howe Field at 1 p.m.