University of Oregon
Arizona State
Duck Defense Clips Sun Devils
04/08/05 | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Oregon softball team made Erin Goodell's second inning RBI ground out stand up by turning three double plays behind pitcher Amy Harris and the Ducks clipped No. 17 Arizona State 1-0 Friday night at Farrington Stadium, winning in Tempe for the first time since 2002.
With the bases loaded and one out, Goodell rolled a chopper to second baseman Mindy Cowless, who looked at home before throwing Goodell out at first, allowing Ann Marie Topps, who led off the second with a single, to score on the play.
"It was a big win for us, especially since we weren't very good on the road last year," said Harris, who helped Oregon lift its record to 23-11 overall and 3-2 in Pac-10 play.
Harris (12-5) and the Oregon defense took over there. Arizona State loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with one out, but Harris induced catcher Heide Knabe to hit into a 5-2-3 double play.
Then with a runner on first in the bottom of the sixth, ASU's Sharee Zaleski lined a shot that first baseman Beth Boskovich knocked down with her foot, recovered and threw to shortstop Breanne Sabol for the out at second. Sabol then fired a strike to Goodell covering first for the inning ending double play.
"I just knew we were going to turn that double play with the bases loaded," said Harris. "We just had that feeling tonight that we were going to get them when we needed them."
The Sun Devils threatened again once more in the bottom of the seventh when Knabe laced a shot off the left field wall, but left fielder Lovena Chaput threw a laser to Goodell covering second, who put the tag down to beat a sliding Kanbe. Harris got pinch hitter Kim Zadrozny to pop out to Goodell to end the game.
"This team can really play defense," said Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen. "It gives our pitchers a great deal of confidence when they have that behind them. They know they don't have to throw a perfect pitch all the time."
ASU pitcher Katie Burkhart (10-6) was the hard-luck loser, striking out 11 and yielding only three hits -- one each to Boskovich, Topps and Kayleen Hudson. The Sun Devils fell to 26-11 overall, 1-4 in Pac-10 play.
The Ducks take on No. 2 Arizona Saturday at 6 p.m. in Tucson.
Oregon 1, Arizona State 0
Oregon - 010 000 0 - 1 3 0
ASU - 000 000 0 - 0 4 2
Burkhart and Knabe; Harris and Richards
Win: Harris (12-5); Loss: Knabe (10-6)
RBI - Goodell
