Sun Devils close in on bye in first round of Big 12 Tournament with win
(Lubbock, TX) Sun Devil Softball upset No. 11/12 Texas Tech with a 7–3 victory in their regular season finale at Rocky Johnson Field on Sunday. The Sun Devils’ combination of timely hitting and effective pitching proved to be the difference in the win.
After trailing 1–0 in the second inning, the Sun Devils plated three runs in the third. AJ Murphy started the rally with a single up the middle, and then singles from Yannixa Acuña and Tiare Ho-Ching loaded the bases. ASU tied the game on an error from the Texas Tech pitcher. Ashleigh Mejia drew a bases-loaded walk to give ASU the lead, and Tanya Windle followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3–1.
The Sun Devils’ offense continued to shine in the middle innings. Murphy showcased her power in the fourth, sending a solo home run over the left field wall to extend the lead to 4–2.
Trying to keep the game close, TTU turned to NiJaree Canady in the fifth inning. Mejia walked with one out and moved to third on a ground-rule double from Tanya Windle. Samantha Swan delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle, pushing the score to 6–2 and providing Arizona State with a commanding advantage.
Murphy doubled to open the sixth inning, which led to another run to give ASU their final tally.
Murphy was the standout performer at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Acuña added two hits.
After two innings from Meika Lauppe and another from Cambree Creager, Kenzie Brown entered the circle for ASU. She delivered four strong innings, allowing just one run on one hit while striking out four. Her performance secured her 18th win of the season and effectively stifled any hopes of a Red Raiders comeback.
NOTABLE
- The 18 wins by Brown are tied for the most by a Sun Devil pitcher since 2014 when Mackenzie Popescue won 20.
- Murphy’s home run tied her career high and was the 150th hit of her career.
- Kelsey Hall singled in the seventh inning for her 100th hit as a Sun Devil.
- The win is the fifth this season over a ranked opponent by the Sun Devils.
- It is also the 11th comeback win of the season.
UP NEXT
ASU has next week off as the rest of the conference wraps up the regular season. The Sun Devils will return to action at the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Josh Fisher
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