ASU Softball: Sun Devils strike early and often

(Photo by Alex Roddier/WCSN)

The Sun Devils faced tough opposition today going against Central Michigan, a team that was coming into play on a three-game win streak and firing on all cylinders. Entering today’s game in the Littlewood Classic, the Chippewas had out-scored their opponents by 11 runs and held them to less than five runs in two of three games.

Arizona State head coach Trisha Ford would acknowledge the Chippewas momentum by saying, “That Central Michigan team can swing it. They’ve put runs up on everybody this weekend, so they have a pretty solid line up there.”

The Sun Devils would look to put an end to the Chippewas offensive surge by having junior Sam Mejia take the mound.

Mejia had trouble settling in early, as she hit her first batter and gave up two runs to start the game. However, her teammates had her back as sophomore Denae Chatman would launch a two-run home run to left to tie the game in the first. Mejia would make quick work of the Chippewas in the second and get the offense back to the plate. The scoring continued in the second as outfielder Skylar McCarty smacked a RBI double to left, and first baseman Chatman hit a sacrifice fly to left, making it a 4-2 game.

In the third, Mejia continued to put up another zero and the Sun Devils offense continued to score, picking up another pair of runs, expanding the lead to 6-2. Continuing her groove, Mejia put up another zero in the fourth, and Chatman continued her timely hitting with another home run. This time, her solo shot to left center contributed to another two-run inning for the Sun Devils, making it an 8-2 game.

The ASU bats went quiet for the remaining three innings of the game, but Mejia continued to dominate in holding the Chippewas scoreless after the first inning. Mejia pitched a complete game on 98 pitches and gave up two earned runs on six hits. Part of Mejia’s success came from her command of the strike zone; she would strike out seven batters and only walk three.

One reason the offense was able to put up eight runs over the first four frames was their patience at the plate. ASU had a total of five walks on the day, all of them came against Central Michigan’s starter Haley John, who would only make it through two and two-thirds innings before getting pulled.

ASU wraps up the Littlewood Classic against Utah State at 1:30 p.m. and San Diego at 4 p.m.