ASU Softball: Sun Devils sweep Cal, McCarty’s Grand Slam makes the difference

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

No. 12 Arizona State had a competitive weekend in California, playing three matchups with the California Golden Bears. Like Friday and Saturday, the Sun Devils had a similar result Sunday defeating No. 20 Cal 4-0 in Berkeley.

The Sun Devils have led by pitching this afternoon as ASU’s three pitchers, Dale Ryndak Breanna Macha and G Juarez all at least threw two innings each and combined as a whole to only give up four total hits. Ryndak pitched the most innings for the Sun Devil, recording two and two/thirds innings allowing two hits and two walks.

Scoring was held at a premium until ASU loaded the bases loaded in the sixth inning when Skylar McCarty hit a grand slam into deep left center field scoring three Sun Devils and herself, giving the Devils a 4-0 lead. Jade Gortarez started the inning with a single to right field, followed by a Lindsay Rood error which allowed Morgan Howe to reach first. Bella Loomis walked for the Devils which set up McCarty to go deep and put ASU out front.

Head coach Trisha Ford elected not to chance the Sun Devils lead and put in star left hander pitcher G Juarez. Juarez continued her dominance on the mound, allowing a single hit and recording four strikeouts in her two innings of work.

Kamalani Dung, a transfer and a former player with Trisha Ford at Fresno State, pitched all seven innings for the Golden Bears, with the single mistake being the home run to McCarty in the sixth inning.

With the sweep of California, the Sun Devils now stand alone atop of the Pac-12 standings. Washington’s losses against ASU are currently the deciding factor in the Pac-12 standings currently. With three road wins against a ranked rival and a No. 1 ranking in the Pac 12 standing, the Sun Devils are posed to shoot up the national rankings to a top 10 position.

ASU will have non-conference matchups against Brigham Young University and North Dakota State in Tempe. The Sun Devils will have two double headers, playing North Dakota State once in each day and BYU once in each day, as well. The first game is set for Friday, March 30 at 4 p.m. in Tempe.