(Photo: Michael Baron/WCSN)
Game 1
The first game on Friday started with an explosion of offense. Then it was a display of dominant pitching, but the Sun Devils came out on top of the Wichita State Shockers 6-4.
The game was ASU’s first of a Friday doubleheader and the first of five games it will play this weekend as part of the Littlewood Classic in Tempe.
The two teams combined to score 10 runs total, and it all came in the first two and a half innings.
The Sun Devils put up a crooked number in the first inning, causing the Shockers to pull starter Katie Malone after giving up five runs and recording only two outs. It was the shortest outing ASU has seen from an opposing starter this season.
“I thought we’ve done a really good job of making sure that we’re swinging at good pitches,” ASU head coach Trisha Ford said. “That’s something we harp hard on, of making sure we’re being aggressive in the zone but also making sure they’re good pitches.”
Sophomore right fielder Fa Leilua got the scoring started with a two-run double to center field. Junior left fielder Nichole Chilson followed with a three-run homer, and it looked like the Sun Devils were going to run away with the game early.
That narrative continued in the second inning, as ASU’s first three batters reached base and the Devils scored on an RBI single from senior catcher Sashel Palacios.
“I have been kind of struggling hitting wise, and it’s not anything physical it’s more mental” Palacios said. “But my teammates push me and I want to be that much better the next day for my teammates. So it feels really good, whatever I can do if it’s making a play or getting the hit.”
The Shockers responded in the third inning, though, putting up four runs on five hits capped by a two-run home run by senior first baseman Mackliin Hitz.
There was little offense to be seen after that as both sides got a strong effort from their respective relief pitchers.
Freshman lefty Bailey Klitzke pitched 5.1 innings in relief for the Shockers, allowing one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five.
“That pitcher is pretty good,” Ford said. “She’s got a good little spin on her ball that kept us off balance.”
However, ASU junior Breanna Macha one-upped her, as she pitched four shutout innings in relief of Dale Ryndak, only allowing three hits, a walk, and striking out three in her second save of the season.
“We made some good defensive plays behind her, she made some big pitches n some big situations, and that’s how we’re going to get better and that’s how we’re going to grow,” Ford said. “She’s got ice in her veins, so she really thrives in those situations.”
The win was ASU’s eighth in a row to start the season while the loss dropped to Shockers to 4-2.
“The better we are in dealing with adversity and responding the better we’re going to be in this season. I thought they did a heck of a job today showing that,” Ford said.
Game 2:
ASU stayed hot in the nightcap, dominating the Illinois State Redbirds 7-1 and extending its season-opening winning streak to nine.
The Devils combined a strong offensive performance as everyone with at least two at-bats reached base. It was a masterpiece from freshman lefty Giselle Juare in the circle in one of ASU’s most complete wins of the season.
“I think she gobbled up quite a few innings for us tonight against a very good team,” Ford said.
Juarez pitched a full seven innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out eleven. It was her second win of the season in as many dominating performances.
“Knowing that my team’s going to have my back, that they’re going to score is great,” Juarez said. “It was just great to know they had my back the entire time.”
The Sun Devil offense was led by Leilua, who had three RBI’s on three hits, including two home runs, and scored four of the team’s seven runs.
“Today I decided to finally just break through,” Leilua said. “I kind of went by the slogan with what [assistant coach] Katie [Richardson] has on her bracelet that says ‘face everything and rise’, so I wanted to finally just break through and feel it again.”
Sophomore third baseman Taylor Becerra also stepped up, getting the scoring started with an RBI single in the second and another in the third. She also had a highlight-worthy catch in the third inning, as she made a diving backhanded grab on a soft flare into foul territory on the third base side.
Ford was pleased with the team’s defense in the second game overall.
“Great defensive plays by [Margaret Stahm] and Becerra, I thought [Chelsea Gonzales] played a heck of a shortstop, you know [Nichole Chilson] laying it all on the line on that foul ball, that’s what Sun Devil softball should look like,” Ford said.
Freshman designated player Emily Ramelot also contributed with a two-run single in the third inning with two outs. Her two hits in four at-bats were good for her first multi-hit game of the season.
“Honestly, I think we’re doing pretty well so far,” Leilua said. “As long as we keep that mindset, what we had tonight, hopefully that’ll lead on to tomorrow.”
The Sun Devils return to action Saturday at 5:15 for a rematch with the 3-4 Illinois State Redbirds as the Littlewood Classic continues in Tempe.
