(Photo: Elijah Longoria/WCSN)
TUCSON — As No. 24 Arizona State made the short trip down south to visit its rival, No. 11 Arizona, the top-25 matchup was more than just a rivalry game. It was a chance for one of the best teams in ASU head coach Megan Bartlett’s tenure to set the tone for a weekend in hostile territory.
After the first inning, the Sun Devils began a performance that reshaped the standard of dominance in one of the Big 12’s fiercest matchups. In a series typically defined by tension and close calls, they delivered an offensive surge that has not been seen in decades.
ASU’s (23-7, 3-4 Big 12) 16-5 win in five innings marked its highest run total against Arizona since 1973, while six total home runs were the team’s most in a single game since March 6, 2021. In the opening game of the Territorial Cup in Tucson, the Sun Devils didn’t just make a statement – they delivered one of the most dominant all-around performances the rivalry has seen in recent memory.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats dropped their third consecutive game while continuing to search for consistency in their four-pitcher rotation after a rough start from freshman pitcher Rylie Holder, who surrendered eight runs in just 2.2 innings. Arizona has struggled to establish control in the circle this season, and Friday only intensified those issues.
“It was like we just kept stealing the momentum back every inning and did things to not give it back,” Bartlett said. “Arizona certainly made a nice run there in the fourth, but at that point, we just had a large enough lead that we were able to smother it and get back to business there in the fifth.”
The night also carried significance for Bartlett, as the win marked her 100th career victory, making her just the fifth coach in program history to reach that milestone. It also secured back-to-back wins over Arizona for the first time since 2022.
When Bartlett arrived at Tempe in the summer of 2022, she inherited a roster that didn’t meet the standards of the two-time national champions fresh off a Super Regional appearance. After making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in her tenure last year, Bartlett has built off that success with several benchmark wins 30 games into the season.
“This program has just seen so much meaningful improvement after those rebuilding years; this is a top-25 team now that’s capable of winning big ball games,” Bartlett said. “So, when I think of 100 wins here, I just think of the growth and loyal and talented people, who wanted to be part of this program and paved the way for some really tough years.”
Senior outfielder Kaylee Pond opened the game with a home run on the first pitch of the game, while junior catcher and ex-Wildcat Emily Schepp knocked a three-run home run against her former team later in the inning that quickly extended the Sun Devils’ lead. Following in the second, junior infielder Katie Chester cleared the bases with a grand slam, giving ASU an 8-0 lead.
“I feel like we are a really good team at feeding off each other’s energy, so seeing Kaylee’s home run really helped start that,” Schepp said.
The Sun Devils established control immediately, turning a rivalry game into a one-sided contest within the first two innings. A collective rise in hits at the plate set the tone early for the ASU, giving them energy that allowed its hitters to keep the bats going.
While offensively the Sun Devils were hot, senior righty Kenzie Brown provided early stability, allowing them to build on their 8-0 advantage. While there were brief moments of inconsistency later in the fourth inning, where she conceded four runs, the damage had already been done. The Wildcats were unable to come back due to the eight-run deficit created in the second inning, paving the way for ASU’s blowout win.
For the Wildcats, the night highlighted ongoing issues. Multiple pitching changes failed to produce consistency, leaving Arizona unable to slow the Sun Devils’ offense. Defensive mistakes only added to the pressure, creating more scoring opportunities for ASU.
Those struggles proved too much to overcome, as Arizona never found a late rhythm. The game quickly shifted from competitive to full control by the Sun Devils, something that’s been seen consistently.
After taking the first game of the Territorial Cup, an ASU win on Saturday would secure a ranked series victory for the second straight week, but more importantly, the first series win over its rivals since 2022.
“We don’t want to get too high,” Pond said. “Coach Bartlett’s 100th win was super exciting, but we aren’t done. Tomorrow, we have an opportunity to win the series, and that’s all we are trying to do.”
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