(Tempe, AZ) Sun Devil Softball failed to manage a comeback against Grand Canyon Tuesday night at Farrington Stadium, 3-2.
Jordyn VanHook and Yanni Acuña both managed to get ahold of the long ball, with VanHook smashing her 16th home run of the season in the fourth inning. Then, Acuña sent a laser over the center-field wall for her 10th home run of the year in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to one run. The Sun Devils were unable to generate any magic in the seventh inning and fell to the Lopes.
Marissa Schuld came in to relieve Kenzie Brown in the third inning and registered five perfect innings with four strikeouts to keep the Lopes at bay for the remainder of the contest.
The Sun Devils will look to play spoiler as they’ll travel to California this Friday to take on No. 2 UCLA at 5 p.m. AZT on Pac-12 Network.
QUOTES
Head Coach Megan Bartlett
On GCU’s Performance:
“That was an excellent ballclub. Every time we came up with a little bit of momentum, they seemed to find a way to shut it down. They jumped out quick on us with a bat and when it rains it pours so, I mean they played well.
On Kenzie’s Performance:
“Kenzie is really good and I don’t think she pitched really good tonight. People are scoring off of her in consecutive innings and that’s not really a normal thing for Kenzie. We had some sick kids, so we were a little short-staffed in the bullpen. Kenzie is normally a middle reliever for us and she just didn’t have her best stuff tonight.”
On Marissa’s Performance:
“Marissa is our vet, and she’s got the experience and no matter what situation she’s put in, she’ll grind and compete. We didn’t overthrow her early and now that we have it, I think we will get some of her best work in the final stretch.”
On Facing UCLA:
“No fear, go in there and do some damage. We have absolutely nothing to lose. This is the stuff you dream of when you’re eight years old, getting to wear the jersey and play in the Pac-12 and face some of the most incredible teams in the country. So for a big game like that, if it doesn’t get your energy going this isn’t the right place for you.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Josh Fisher
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