Feb. 24, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ga. - Junior Beth DiPietro struck out eight in 7 1/3 innings of work Friday in the first game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic, but it wasn't enough as No. 16 Arizona State took a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Auburn at the South Commons Complex.
Kaitlin Cochran singled home the game's only run in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring Michelle Smith from third. The Sun Devils managed just three hits against DiPietro, who also walked four in falling to 4-1 on the season. The Tigers, meanwhile, fell to 10-2 on the year.
"Beth had a great game from the circle," Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. "She was commanding, and the only real solid hit against her was the single in the eighth."
The Tigers lost the pitching duel as Arizona State's (15-0) Katie Burkhart struck out 18 in eight innings of work to improve to 6-0 on the season. She allowed just one hit -- a bunt single by freshman Ashley Arcuri over the head of Jen McCard at third base in the sixth inning.
Auburn continues its play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic at 7:30 p.m. EST., against Missouri. The game can be heard live on www.auburntigers.com and WZMG-AM (910). Live stats will also be available on www.auburntigers.com.
TIGER NOTES: The Tigers wore their blue uniforms for both games of the afternoon ... Auburn fell to 7-1 in its blue uniforms this season ... The meeting marked the first between Auburn and Arizona State, with the Sun Devils coming from the Pacific-10 Conference ... Arizona State defeated North Carolina, 4-3, in a nine-inning affair prior to the Sun Devils' game with the Tigers.