(Photo: Marlee Smith/WCSN)
Sun Devil softball capped off their perfect weekend with a 8-0 mercy rule win over Boise State Sunday afternoon at the Littlewood Classic.
Despite the long weekend, the Sun Devils seemed energetic before the game, dancing to the songs blaring through the speakers. The energy continued into the game as ASU got off to a hot start. Boise State pitcher Kelsey Broadus walked second baseman Bella Loomis and catcher Maddi Hackbarth before shortstop Alynah Torres came up and hit a bomb that soared over the center field wall to make the score 3-0 after the first inning.
The freshman shortstop standout has seen great success early this season. The home run today was her fifth the season, the most by any player on ASU’s roster so far.
“I’m just keeping it simple honestly,” Torres said. “Just trying to get on base and I’m getting those good pitches so when I go I’m going hard.”
The Sun Devils were able to tally another run in the third inning. Loomis was walked once again and was able to advance to second after Hackbarth hit a high ball into shallow left field that landed in between the Broncos’ shortstop and left fielder as they both thought the other was going to make the catch.
Next, freshman outfielder Jazmine Hill stepped up to the plate and hit a high fly ball in the center infield that the Broncos’ first baseman lost in the sun. Loomis was able to score on the drop ball and after a wild throw, Hackbarth also tried to take home, but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
After starting off the bottom of the fourth with a walk from designated player Alli Tatnall, first baseman Denae Chatman hit a hard ground ball to the third basemen who threw to second for an attempt at a double play. But, the umpires ruled both Tatnall and Chatman safe.
When the Boise State catcher dropped a pitch, Tatnall took her chance and stole third, but after the shortstop couldn’t handle the throw from the catcher trying to get Tatnall, the ball rolled into the outfield and allowing Tatnall to score, giving ASU the 5-0 advantage.
After giving up another walk to third baseman Kiara Kennedy, Boise State replaced their pitcher, Kelsey Broadus, with Micaela Leal. Left fielder Makenna Harper then came to the plate and laid down a sacrifice bunt to move pinch runner Savannah Morales to third and Kennedy to second.
The Bronocs then decided to intentionally walk Kindra Hackbarth to load the bases with one out and Loomis at the plate. Loomis hit a high fly ball into deep left field that led to Morales tagging and scoring. The inning ended with the bases loaded and a strikeout from Torres.
The fifth inning saw another error by the Broncos after their third baseman made a wild throw to first that allowed Hill to take the bag. Hill then stole second during Tatnall’s at bat that resulted in another walk. Hill was then driven home after Halle Harger hit a ball straight up the middle and into the outfield.
Harger, a junior transfer from Boise State, had only seen two plate appearances before stepping into the box to face Leal, however she took advantage of the opportunity and showed off to the school she transferred from.
Following a pop up from Kennedy, Leal hit both Makenna Harper and Kindra Hackbarth which led to Olivia Miller, the pinch runner for Tatnall, to take home plate giving the Sun Devils the 8-0 mercy rule win.
The Sun Devils also saw a great performance from their defense. Loomis was able to make a diving play for an out in the first inning. Kindra Hackbarth made a running catch as she crashed into the center field wall to end the third. Later on, Torres dove for a ball and short and was able to gun down the hitter.
The dynamic duo of Cielo Meza and Madison Preston looked as strong as ever from inside the circle.
“C and Preston have logged some heavy and intense innings and they just were phenomenal all weekend long,” ASU head coach Trisha Ford said.
The two combined for five strikeouts, only two hits, and zero runs.
“I think we came in with the mindset that we’re going to go 5-0 this weekend,” Meza said. “I think we did a great job of that.”
The Sun Devils play again next weekend in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City California.
