(Tempe, AZ) The finale of a three game set between in-state rivals, Arizona and Arizona State. The Wildcats won the first two games taking the series in game one 6-1 and 5-1 last night in game two.
ASU was looking to salvage the final game and not get swept.
Arizona started reliever Saya Swain (3-1) in the circle. ASU countered with Kenzie Brown (11-2).
A sellout crowd for the entire series saw 1,959 fans in the seats today.
The Sun Devils’ start wasn’t what Coach Megan Bartlett wanted as Arizona loaded the bases off two singles and a walk in the top of the first inning. Brown quickly righted the ship by striking out the next three batters to close out the threat and leave the bases juiced.
Things could have gotten ugly early, but getting out of the top of the first without the UofA scoring gave the Sun Devils a boost of adrenalin but not immediately.
Swain set Arizona State down in order to close out the first inning.
Arizona had a mild threat the next inning by getting two runner aboard and Taylor Biehl all the way to third base, but again stranded both players.
The Devils were almost a carbon copy of the top of the inning by getting Holtje and Acuña in scoring position only to leave them on base.
Finally ASU broke out by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Ashleigh Mejia took Swain’s first pitch over the right field wall with Tanya Windle aboard for a 2-0 lead. That was followed by back to back doubles by Kelsey Hall and Tiare Ho-Chin that got the third run home to cap off the inning and a 3-0 lead.
Both teams went down quietly the next two innings.
The Cats finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. A leadoff walk to Devyn Netz who was pinched ran for. After back to back strikeouts, Biehl lined a single to left to score Tagalog (pinch runner) that cut the lead to 3-1.
Arizona State had a mild threat in the bottom of the frame, but left two runners aboard.
After an initial groundout, Shockey and Altmeyer singled to put the tying run on base. Netz hit into a fielder’s choice but the out at second allowed Shockey to score and cut the lead to one run. Arizona still had a chance to tie or pull this line out after Sydney Stewart walked, putting Netz in scoring position. Miranda Stoddard struck out swinging to end the game.
The Wildcats ranked 17th did nothing to hurt their position. They’re a very consistent team with good pitching.
ASU who got votes in the last softball poll but not ranked still needs to be aggressive in more than just an inning or two.
There’s still a ways to go for both teams and opportunities to improve, but with the Sun Devils not getting swept gave them something to build on.
A road trip to Ames Iowa awaits ASU to face the Cyclones of Iowa State starting Friday March 28th at 2 p.m.
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