Pac-10 Softball: Ducks Fall to No. 7 ASU, 4-2

The Ducks have now dropped their last four games in Pac-10 play.

Photo: goducks.com

TEMPE, Arizona - The Oregon Ducks made a valiant effort on Friday night to erase Arizona State’s four-run lead in the seventh, but it was too little to late as the seventh-ranked Sun Devils defeated 14th-ranked Oregon, 4-2 at Farrington Stadium.

Arizona State’s Katie Burkhart proved why she is one of the top pitchers in the nation, pitching a perfect game through six innings, but Oregon senior second baseman Suzie Barnes spoiled that attempt leading off the seventh with a walk.

Freshman Jenn Salling then homered to center field, her 11th of the year, to ruin Burkhart’s attempt at a no hitter.

Salling continues to lead the team with 60 RBIs. Senior Ann Marie Topps also singled in the game.

Burkhart (22-8) struck out 10 Oregon batters, dropping the Ducks record to 38-9 on the year and 3-6 in the Pac-10.

The Sun Devils improve to 41-10 on the year and 7-3 in conference.

Burkhart was aided by Arizona State second baseman Mindy Cowles, who hit two home runs in the game, a two run shot to dead center in the fourth, and a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Oregon sophomore Melissa Rice (20-7) did some excellent work of her own in the circle, before surrendering three runs off four consecutive hits in the bottom of the fourth. Rice allowed four runs on six hits in six innings of work.

The Ducks have now dropped their last four games in Pac-10 play.

Oregon continues its road trip through Arizona, heading to Tucson, playing the third-ranked Wildcats on Saturday at 7:00 PM.

The Ducks end their road trip with a noon start at Arizona on Sunday.

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