ASU Softball: Devils seek to keep shutout streak alive against Minnesota

(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)

No. 14 Arizona State softball welcomes in Minnesota for a three-game set at Farrington Stadium, hoping to continue a streak of four consecutive shutouts.

The Sun Devils (18-2) ride an eight-game win streak into the series against the Gophers (12-7). ASU’s offense and pitching has been firing on all cylinders. The Sun Devils have not allowed a run in the last 24 innings and have run-ruled their opponents in three of their last four games, averaging eight runs per game.

Minnesota finished 56-5 in 2017, their best season in program history. The Gophers made it to the NCAA Regional and fell to Alabama 1-0 in both contests.

Coming off their terrific season, the Gophers began the year on a five-game win streak. However, Minnesota has fallen out of the polls for the first time this season after losing three of their last four games.

Despite their recent slump, Minnesota carries momentum into the weekend following a 5-3 comeback victory against Colorado State. Five unanswered runs in the final three innings helped the Gophers close out the San Diego Classic on a high note.

ASU did not play Minnesota last year, ending a streak of four consecutive season meetings. The Gophers have won the last three matchups, including a 10-1 victory in the 2016 Diamond Devil Invitational. In that game, then-sophomore Breanna Macha surrendered two earned runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of relief work.

ASU’s last victory against Minnesota came in 2013. The Sun Devils buried the Gophers 8-0 in five innings, which extended their undefeated streak to 12 games to start the season.

 Sizing the Competition

Minnesota lost two key pieces last year: Sara Groenewegen and Sydney Dwyer. However, the Gophers have a surge of young talent that has blossomed through their system.

Sophomore Makenna Partain is hitting .365 and leads the Gophers with 14 runs, 19 hits, and 17 RBI. 2017 NFCA First-Team All-American Kendyl Lindaman is showing off her power in her second season, crushing a team-leading six homers and and maintaining a .636 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Minnesota holds a 2.44 earned run average and at the forefront of the rotation is sophomore Amber Fiser. Fiser is 8-3 in 12 games started and posts a 2.31 ERA, nine complete games, and 73 strikeouts. Alongside Fiser, sophomore Carlie Brandt has impressed in a small sample size as a reliever. In 21 innings of work, Brandt has given up two earned runs and put up a .169 opponent batting average.

Who’s Hot for the Sun Devils?

Senior Nicole Chilson has 5 hits, two homers, and nine RBI in her last four games, including a career-high five RBI in a season-high 13-run victory over Georgetown.

Tranfser Morgan Howe continues to impress at the plate, leading the Sun Devils with a .418 batting average. Howe also has 14 runs, four homers, and 15 RBI.

The entire rotation for the Sun Devils has been on fire. ASU boasts a 1.52 team ERA, seven shutouts and a .179 opponent batting average. Senior Dale Ryndak has a 4-0 record to accompany a team-low 0.58 ERA.

The Sun Devils and Gophers face off at Farrington Stadium on March 9 and 11 with a doubleheader on Sunday. The first game of series begins at 7 p.m. MT. The first game of the doubleheader kicks off at 2 p.m. MT followed by a 4 p.m. first pitch for the second game.

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