(Photo: Paige Cook/WCSN)
This past weekend, No. 12 Arizona State Softball (32-7, 13-2 Pac-12) traveled to Stanford, California for a weekend road trip against the No. 23 ranked Stanford Cardinal (31-13, 8-7 Pac-12). The Sun Devils arrived at Stanford on a 20-game winning streak – the longest in the nation – and were undefeated in Pac-12 play. The Cardinal put an end to both of those streaks, winning two out of the three games.
Bats Went Cold
The phrase “timely hitting” could be used to describe Arizona State’s performance in the weekend series. The Sun Devils had multiple innings that left runners on base and some in scoring position. ASU’s hitters had been hot all season and have been able to get runs in bunches. However, this past weekend, Stanford held Arizona State to just six total runs, the least amount of runs the Sun Devils have scored in Pac-12 play.
Leading the Sun Devils in hitting this season is senior right fielder Yannira Acuña, who is batting .436. This past weekend, Acuña struggled from the plate, going 2-for-8 on the weekend, and was hitless in the first two games. However, Acuña was able to snap her four-game hitless streak – which includes the Utah Utes series – with a homer to right-center field.
Acuña wasn’t the only hitter to struggle this weekend, as most of Arizona State’s roster had trouble adjusting to Stanford’s junior right-handed pitcher Alana Vawter, who pitched Friday and Sunday night.
Sun Devils Struggled to Adjust to Alana Vawter
Without a doubt, the junior righty has been the most used pitcher in the Pac-12. Vawter threw two complete games this series, which increased her complete game count to 14 games this season. She has also pitched 164.2 innings, more than any pitcher in the conference.
It’s safe to say that Vawter’s presence inside the circle played an instrumental role in the Cardinal’s two victories, adding to her conference-leading record of 20-7. The Sun Devils’ only series win came on Saturday – the only day Vawter did not pitch.
Arizona State will return to Farrington Stadium this weekend for a series against the California Golden Bears. The Bears have struggled during conference play, amassing a 6-9 record. Despite its below .500 conference record, Cal does have two marquee wins over then-ranked No. 25 Stanford.
