March 8, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. - Junior Holly Currie struck out 11 as Auburn head coach Tina Deese collected her 600th career victory in the Tigers' 1-0 victory over Samford Wednesday at Jane B. Moore Field.
"It's a wonderful mark to hit," Deese said. "I'm glad they celebrate coaches but quite honestly, it's the players who do it. I don't throw a pitch, I don't stand in the box. There's a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into those 600. I'm just happy for the program, happy for the players and I'm excited to go out and get No. 601."
The victory over Samford makes Deese the fifth active Southeastern Conference head coach with at least 600 wins. She is the second-most tenured coach in the SEC, and Deese, who is 600-391-1 all-time, is the only conference head coach to have remained with their program since its inception.
Deese became the third coach in the conference to win 300 games with their current team on Feb. 10 in a 15-1 win over Miami (Ohio).
Currie and starter Beth DiPietro paced Deese to win No. 600, limiting the Bulldogs (6-18 overall) to three hits while striking out 12. Currie came on in relief of DiPietro in the third and struck out 11, the 10th time in her 13 appearances this season she has hit double-figure K's. Currie improved to 9-2 on the year.
"Holly has been in control all year," Deese said. "Of course, we have to continue that into the Southeastern Conference. She's been a very poised pitcher. Both of my pitchers, Beth and Holly, have been very poised this year and I am proud of them."
The Tigers (16-4) scored their only run in the bottom half of the first on an attempted double steal. With Sara Ghezzi on first and Kristina McCain on third, Deese sent Ghezzi running. When Samford attempted to get her at second, McCain came in to score without a throw. Ghezzi was out on the play just after McCain crossed the plate, ending the inning.
The one run, however, was all the Tigers needed as Currie and DiPietro posted the team's seventh shutout of the season.
Deese will get her chance at career victory No. 601 when the Tigers open SEC play Saturday against Kentucky. The Wildcats will visit Jane B. Moore Field for a three-game set, with a 1 p.m. start on Saturday. A second game will follow immediately as the team will play game No. 3 Sunday at 1 p.m.
The games will be available for listeners via the Internet at www.auburntigers.com and WZMG-AM (910) with Ben Taylor and Brad Law behind the mic. Live stats will also be available on www.auburntigers.com.
TIGER NOTES: Auburn head coach Tina Deese spent eight seasons at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., compiling a 286-123 record before coming to Auburn prior to the team's inaugural season in 1997 ... The Tigers wore their white uniforms for the game against Samford ... Auburn is 6-1 in them this season ... The Tigers improved to 4-6 all-time in their final non-conference game before Southeastern Conference play.