Monstrous sixth inning leads the way in Valentine’s Day win

(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)

TEMPE — Heading into Saturday, Arizona State fans had become accustomed to close games, spending most of their evenings on the edge of their seats. Four of ASU’s seven wins up to that point were one-run victories, keeping spectators from taking their eyes off the game for a second in fear of missing a game-changing play.

While it may have been Valentine’s Day, though, the Sun Devils showed their opponents no love, dismantling Portland State 20-2 in five innings before capping off Saturday night with a 9-6 win over Pacific to remain undefeated in the Littlewood Classic. 

After a close-fought five innings against the Tigers, the Sun Devils once again delivered in the clutch with a seven-run sixth inning to jump out in front, 9-2. Pacific didn’t go down without a fight, though, scoring four runs in the seventh inning before senior pitcher Aissa Silva shut the door to pick up the 9-6 win.

ASU’s defense played a big role in the win, even with two errors resulting in five unearned runs. While the infield turned double plays and the outfield limited extra bases, the Sun Devils had the edge they needed to survive the Tigers’ rallies.

“A little bit messy on defense, but thankfully the bats have kind of already done their thing at that point,” sophomore outfielder Ashley Mejia said. 

While Silva was credited with the win, freshman pitcher Mary Peyton Hodge received the start and battled through a competitive four innings of play, giving up just one earned run and two overall off four hits.  

After Hodge kept Pacific off the scoreboard for the first two innings, ASU’s offense came alive. Senior shortstop Brooklyn Ulrich broke the scoreless tie with a two-run double, giving the Sun Devils an early 2-0 lead, sending fans swooning.

Pacific matched the energy in the third inning, tying the game at 2-2 after an RBI sac fly turned into two runs following a throwing error by senior outfielder Tanya Windle.

After three quiet innings, Mejia started the sixth-inning rally with a leadoff double, followed by a two-run homer from junior infielder Katie Chester that gave the Sun Devils the lead. ASU would bat around in the inning, as Mejia knocked another double, scoring three runs. 

“[Head coach Megan Bartlett] talks a lot about ‘keep swinging, keep swinging. It’s going to happen for you,” Mejia said. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.’ So I think tonight just really was my breakthrough in trusting that process.” 

Pacific didn’t go down without a fight, putting up three runs in the seventh inning. Its rally was cut short, as Silva struck out sophomore catcher Jayleen Scott to end the game.

The Sun Devils will take on the University of the Pacific again tomorrow at Farrington Stadium at 12:45 p.m. to conclude the Littlewood Invitational. 

“We just have to make sure we show up in the morning,” Mejia said. “Respect the game the right way, clean it up on defense, take care of business.”

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