Categories: Softball

ASU Softball: Sun Devils shutout by Cal in series finale 3-0

(Photo: Michael Baron/WCSN)

The No. 22 ASU softball team dropped the final game of a three-game series to Pac-12 Conference foe California 3-0 at Farrington Stadium in Tempe Sunday. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak and the overall record for ASU is now 30-17, including 9-12 in Pac-12 play.

ASU was shut out for the second Sunday in a row. Last Sunday, the Sun Devils lost to in-state rival Arizona 8-0 in Tucson.

The game was much of a pitcher’s duel as ASU freshman Giselle Juarez went toe-to-toe with California redshirt sophomore Zoe Conley. There were only four hits in the game combined and the two pitchers each had two walks and four strikeouts.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning when on a wild pitch from Juarez, Cal’s Vanessa Alvarez came in from third to break the deadlock. Cal held a 1-0 lead after six innings of play.

The Golden Bears came up to bat in the top of the seventh against a new pitcher in Breanna Macha, but after a two-out walk, California freshman Bradie Fillmore hit a two-run home run to left field and the lead grew to 3-0.

California would only give up one walk in the bottom half of the seventh inning and the Golden Bears won the game 3-0. Juarez took the loss for the Sun Devils and is now 6-5 in 2017. Conley earned the win for the Golden Bears and improves her record to 18-13.

First Time Shut Out at Home

Sunday marked the first time the Sun Devils had been shut out on their home field in 2017. Since the start of the softball season, ASU had scored at least two runs in every home game but one.

Up Next For ASU

ASU will remain in Tempe and prepare for the final series of the regular season when the No. 12 UCLA Bruins come to the desert. The three-game series begins Thursday with first pitch slated for 6 p.m.