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Colleges

Auburn standout pitcher honed form at Riverview

In her second season for the Tigers, Beth DiPietro continues to show the stuff that led to her stellar prep career.

By ROD GIPSON
Published February 25, 2005

As a standout pitcher during her prep career at Riverview, Beth DiPietro was a member of two state championship teams, she threw seven no-hitters and was named the state's top player in her senior year.

While those lofty numbers will be hard to duplicate in college, DiPietro has started strong as Auburn's No. 1 hurler. Now in her second season for the Tigers, DiPietro has continued to show the pitching form that led to her dominant prep career.

"She has really come back another year stronger, mentally as well as physically," Auburn coach Tina Deese said.

DiPietro has compiled a 6-1 record so far this season for the Tigers, posting a team-best 1.42 ERA in the process. She has four complete games and three shutouts in 49 innings. And she has struck out 43 batters this season.

In her last outing, DiPietro threw seven innings against Birmingham-Southern, striking out eight while walking just three in an 8-3 victory.

She has won five straight at home. In fact, DiPietro's only loss was during the first week of the season, a 4-0 setback at Florida International.

"The (Birmingham-Southern) game was a great example," Deese said. "We had a good offensive effort and very good pitching from Beth."

MORE SOFTBALL: University of Florida pitcher Mandy Schuerman has compiled a 3-0 record this season and a team-low 0.28 ERA. A graduate of East Bay, she has one complete game and one save in 25 innings pitched this season. A part-time outfielder for the Gators, Schuerman is hitting .316 with six singles, three doubles and one home run.

Tampa Bay Tech graduate Yuri Higgins has a team-best five appearances on the mound for USF this season. A sophomore right-handed pitcher, Higgins has posted a 2.25 ERA, striking out three and allowing just one hit and one run.

SOCCER: South Carolina defender Jenna Ball completed the season with one start in 13 matches. A Tampa Bay Tech graduate and one of the Gamecocks' top defenders this season as a sophomore, Ball tallied one goal and one assist.

BASKETBALL: Tiras Wade has maintained an amazing offensive outpouring this season. Wade, a Tampa Bay Tech graduate and junior at Louisiana-Lafayette, has averaged close to 20 points a game all season. A 6-foot-6 guard, Wade is averaging 19.5 points a game and six rebounds. He has scored in double figures for the past four games for the Ragin' Cajuns, all wins. Louisiana-Lafayette is 17-8 on the season and 11-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.

[Last modified February 24, 2005, 09:50:48]