ASU Softball: Sun Devils dominate in series finale against Cardinal

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

Behind big performances from junior shortstop Chelsea Gonzales and senior catcher Katee Aguiree, the Arizona State Sun Devils picked up a sweep against the Stanford Cardinal, winning the final game by a score of 10-4.

The Sun Devils found themselves off to a quick start as the first four batters reached base, and senior center fielder Jennifer Soria came in on a walk drawn by senior second baseman Nikki Girard.

Gonzales followed that with a sacrifice fly to left to extend the lead.

That was all ASU would get and went into the top of the second inning up 2-0.

Redshirt junior pitcher Kelsey Kessler cruised through her first three innings, as she fanned three batters while only allowing one hit.

Gonzales would add on to the lead in the bottom of the third when she hit her second sacrifice fly of the game making the score 3-0.

After three easy innings, Kessler hit a rough spot, as a two-out bloop single from sophomore right handed pitcher Haley Snyder scored the Cardinal’s first run of the game. However, that was all Kessler would give up.

In the fourth inning Gonzales tacked on two more RBIs on the day with a single through the left side, giving her four through four innings.

“I was just trying to make adjustments,” Gonzales said. “My first couple (at-bats) I was out in front, and my last couple I was focusing on waiting a little bit longer.”

Aguirre extended the lead right after Gonzales, as she blasted a three-run shot to center field.

Sophomore pitcher Dale Ryndak came in to replace Kessler in the fifth inning.

“We were just trying to give her (Kessler) some rest,” co-interim head coach Letty Olivarez said. “And to give Ryndak the opportunity to pull more innings, and get some throwing in before next weekend.”

Ryndak got the first two batters that she faced to softly line out, but senior first baseman Kayla Bonstrom took her deep to make the score 8-2.

Senior Kaitlin Schaberg drove in another run in the inning on an RBI single, which was followed up with another RBI single from Snyder.

The Sun Devils answered back quickly, as sophomore first baseman Margaret Stahm hit a solo shot to left field.

ASU would put one more run up on the board, and Ryndak would close the game out for the Sun Devils last home game this season.

“It (the sweep) gives us a lot of confidence,” Gonzales said. “We’re excited to go on the road, but unfortunately we wish our last series was on our field.”

If you have any questions or comments, you can contact Jacob Franklin via Twitter @JFrankSports or via email at jacobfranklin093@gmail.com.

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