(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)
The No. 14 Arizona State Sun Devils continued a run of impressive victories on Wednesday, posting a season-high in runs with a 13-0 rout of the Georgetown Hoyas
The win is the Sun Devils eighth consecutive victory since losing to defending national champion Oklahoma. Dating back to their double-header on March 3, the Devils have outscored the opposition 32-0 in the last four games.
As they did the previous night against South Dakota, the Devils started doing their damage to the Hoyas in the first inning. Georgetown pitcher Anna Brooks Pacha issued two walks and a hit-by-pitch to the first three ASU batters. That set up senior outfielder Nichole Chilson to hit a three-run homer, giving the Devils an early edge.
“I was just trying to stay calm,” Chilson said. “You know, looking for a good pitch to drive. I wasn’t thinking home run. I was thinking see ball, hit ball, put a good swing on it and it happened to go over the fence. It was just awesome.”
The simple approach of “see ball, hit ball” continued to pay dividends for the Devils. Chilson recorded a two-RBI single in her next at-bat. As the inning progressed, ASU scored five more runs off two singles and a triple, all with two outs. The bottom of the third ended with ASU holding a 10-0 lead.
“It makes it fun in the dugout,” third baseman Taylor Becerra said of the high-scoring outings. “Sometimes these games put us to sleep if we come out too fast or the middle innings are kind of rough. I think the dugout’s been doing a really good job of staying in the games.”
With the game safely under wraps after three innings, head coach Trisha Ford began subbing in bench players. Ford has praised the team’s depth throughout the non-conference season, and has taken opportunities to give the bench playing time when possible.
“It’s just an opportunity for us to get some kids in who haven’t seen live at-bats,” Ford said. “At the beginning of the year we had big innings and tonight was a little bit consistent throughout, so it gives us an opportunity to get some players in sooner instead of the last minute.”
ASU’s bench played solidly in the final innings. Sophomore outfielder Breezy Wise hit a triple and later scored on a wild pitch. On the other side, sophomore pitcher Alyssa Loza relieved starter Dale Ryndak and recorded three strikeouts in 1.2 innings.
“I thought she did a great job,” Ford said. “Came in there, pounded the zone, threw strikes which is what she’s supposed to do. I’m very proud of her and she’s ready to go.”
The players certainly seem to agree with Ford about the amount of talent lining the dugout. Junior outfielder Morgan Howe said of the 24 players on the team “one through 24 will get it done, doesn’t matter who it is.”
Boasting an 18-2 record, the team certainly has good reason to be confident. While ASU plays in a brutal Pac-12 conference and has one neutral site tournament and no true road games to its name yet, Ford is not worried.
“I don’t worry about it honestly,” Ford said “We’ve had some tough home games and we responded well. We give them the tools and it’s up to them to use them. I think they’ve done a great job obviously and I don’t worry about the things we can’t control.”
With a deep team, Ford has shuffled the lineup frequently, opening the door for players to earn their time on the field. This has especially been the case in the outfield, where Howe, one of ASU’s top hitters, returned to the lineup after a couple games off.
For the players, the collection of new faces that have been playing well fosters a competitive, but still unified and friendly, environment.
“I know there’s a lot of girls who can perform, just like I’m performing,” Chilson said. “There’s healthy competition and it’s just fun. It’s my senior year so I’m just trying to enjoy it no matter what my role is on the team.”
The Sun Devils continue their home stand with a three-game series against Minnesota, with the first game Friday and a double-header on Sunday.
