(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils were disappointed in their performance against Arizona a week ago. ASU answered the call, sweeping the Utah Utes in a weekend Pac-12 series. While the Utes are currently ranked in last place in the Pac-12 softball standings, the Devils were able to shine on the diamond.
The Sun Devils outscored Utah 23-5 in the three-game set in Salt Lake City. G. Juarez and Breanna Macha combined for 19 innings of work and three collective wins. The Sun Devils now look to travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico for a non-conference matchup against the New Mexico State Aggies.
Originally scheduled for a double-header, the Sun Devils and Aggies instead will have a one-game set between each other. These two teams met earlier in the season at the Devil Classic in March at Farrington Stadium.
In that game, the Sun Devils were able to secure a victory over New Mexico State 3-0 thanks to home runs from Marisa Stankiewicz and Jade Gortarez in the sixth inning. Dale Ryndak pitched five scoreless innings allowing only three hits collectively.
Since their early season matchup, the Devils have been one of the best teams in the country, collecting several top-tier wins and playing in arguably the most competitive softball conference in the country.
New Mexico State has combined to secure an overall record at 26-21 but has posted an 11-4 conference record, the best in the Western Athletic Conference. These Aggies were able to pull off victories against a ranked Kentucky and took then No. 1 ranked Washington into extra innings this season.
The Aggies are led by their prolific junior, Kelsey Horton, who has 57 total hits, 55 RBIs and 22 home runs this season. New Mexico State has a total of five players batting over .300 on the season including Nikki Butler and Victoria Castro who have 45 and 29 RBIs respectively.
NMSU has received contributions from four pitchers this season but has received the most from Kayla Green. The Mesa, Arizona native has 126 total innings pitched this season, recording a 13-8 overall record this season.
The Sun Devils will look to add to their 26-3 overall non-conference against New Mexico State. The game is set for Tuesday, May 1 at 2:00 p.m. in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
