Pitching keeps ASU competitive in defensive battle with OSU

(Photo via Marina Williams/WCSN)

TEMPE – Pitching and defense seemed to be the main theme of Sunday’s game between ASU softball and Oregon State.

The Sun Devils (17-11, 2-4 Pac-12 Conference) ended the weekend with a win over Oregon State (14-15, 3-3 Pac-12 Conference) by a score of 5-1 after dropping the first two games of the series to the Beavers. Graduate right-handed pitcher Marissa Schuld pitched a complete game and kept the Devils in the game after four scoreless innings on both sides.

“(Schuld) is a competitor,” assistant coach Hailey Decker said. “We know what we’ll get out of her, and we’re so happy to see her getting success after all her hard work. It all starts in the circle. To have her come out and be a great leader and throw well makes every aspect of the game easier for everyone.”

Schuld pitched in the first game of this series on Friday but stayed in for just two innings and gave up two runs. She bounced back in Sunday’s game, giving up just one run in the seventh and five hits all game, showing much improvement in her control of pitches.

This is her second complete game in the last week, previously going the distance in an 8-3 win last Sunday against No. 7 Washington. In a banged-up pitching rotation, a game like this is huge for her and the team, showing she has the stamina needed to go all seven innings and give the needed rest to the rest of the rotation.

“We saved arms, and (Schuld) pitched efficiently,” Decker said. “She didn’t throw too many pitches, attacked the zone, and not only is it healthy for our staff but super healthy for her.”

The defense also played well behind Schuld, making great plays left and right to keep the ball from rolling into the outfield. The infielders were able to play off Schuld’s energy and dominance in the circle, allowing the Devils to put that energy into the bats.

After losing in back-to-back games, Sunday’s win was much needed. With the way last Saturday’s game ended – giving up six runs in the seventh inning to lose the game – a strong pitching performance could be huge, not just for the win column, but for team morale as well.

“As we hit the road, we need to keep the energy high,” Walsh said. “We can compete with anybody, but we have to compete all series long and not just the last game of the series like we did here.”