Baylor Bears spoil Sun Devil Senior Day

(Photo credit: Madison Sorenson/WCSN)

TEMPE — The Baylor Bears spoiled Arizona State softball’s senior day after losing two straight.

Senior day magic could not stop the Bears (22-23, 8-10 Big 12), who scored 11 unanswered runs to win 12-3 after being down early to the Sun Devils (33-16, 13-8 Big 12).

“I wish we sent them out at least from Club Farrington in a better fashion, but they’re great kids and great ball players,” head coach Megan Bartlett said. “We’re going to miss them.”

Senior utility player AJ Murphy and graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall might not have gotten the win on senior day, but they still had one they will never forget.

In the top of the second inning, Murphy made one of the most impressive defensive plays of the season.

Baylor junior outfielder Brooklyn Carter rocketed a ball to freshman infielder Grace Molitor at third base, and it went off her glove. The ball bounced in and out of the glove of Murphy, and landed on the ground. Murphy then scooped the ball back up and was able to dive and tag third base for a force out and the third out of the inning. After a lengthy review, the call was confirmed. and Murphy was due up first for the Sun Devils.

“A lot of that game I am not excited to go back and watch and take notes on, but that play I’m actually interested in seeing again,” Bartlett said. “It was awesome.”

Immediately following the play, Murphy was the first batter due up for ASU in the bottom half of the inning. On a 1-1 count, Murphy sent a ball high and over the right field wall, giving ASU a 3-1 lead, their biggest of the game.

“AJ played a great ball game today,” Bartlett said. “She’s hitting knocks and making incredible plays on tipped balls.”

Although Hall did not reach base on Saturday, her home run in Friday’s win brought her season total to 10, making 2024 the third season of her career with double-digit home runs. She currently leads the team in RBIs with 47 and is second on the team in home runs.

After taking a commanding 3-1 lead early in the game, the Sun Devils struggled both offensively and in the circle to fight back against the strong Baylor offense. Every starter for the Bears got at least one hit, with four players getting three or more hits.

The season isn’t over for Murphy and Hall, as the Sun Devils will take on Texas Tech for a three-game set next weekend, before playing in the Big 12 Conference tournament.

“They have a short memory. They’re good ball players. They’ll get back to it,” Bartlett said.