(Photo: Ayden Vasquez/ WCSN)
TEMPE — Arizona is warming up, and the Sun Devils’ bats have been on a heater since the start of the 2026 season. This year, they have already put up 175 runs, which ranks third in the Big 12, and a little extra sunshine only added fuel to their flame.
Arizona State (16-3) turned on a little extra juice and rode the long ball, which began with a 15-7 mercy rule over the University of Wisconsin (12-6). After a slow start in game two, the Sun Devils also scrapped a 10-5 win against Cal Baptist University (17-4) in a similar fashion.
Junior catcher Samantha Swan got a home run train started with a three-run shot to left center field, a day after going 5-for-6 at the plate.
Sophomore infielder Tiare Ho-Ching followed with a two-run homer to left field. While Ho-Ching has only posted a .265 average in 13 games to start the year, her on-base plus slugging percentage sits at 1.022.
“Shes just such a rock for us,” head coach Megan Bartlett said. “A big part of this program, and our life blood.”
One player that has been an all-around bat is junior infielder Katie Chester. She rounded out the third and final homer in game one for the Sun Devils, tallying the 10th RBI of the afternoon.
Every ball that flew over the wall for the Sun Devils came with runners on, and against the Badgers, they hit .500 with runners in scoring position. ASU’s ability to come through when it needs to has been its X-factor thus far, with a total average of .384 when runners reach at least second.
While Wisconsin didn’t put up the same totals offensively as the Sun Devils, it had a solid day of its own in the box. Sophomore utility player Kendra Lewis, junior catcher Hilary Blomberg, and junior outfielder Danielle Lucey all hit round trippers for the Badgers. While Wisconsin tied ASU’s home run total, its timeliness was lacking, as two of its three homers came with the bases empty.
The Sun Devils had the luxury of keeping the pitching staff on short work, as their offense carried it to a 15-7 final in five innings. Senior pitcher Aissa Silva got the win but has allowed four earned runs in her last seven innings. Still, she sits at 7-1 on the season.
ASU started off its second game of the afternoon against CBU slowly, as its offense went down in order to begin the first inning. With the weather cooling down in Tempe, the Sun Devils’ bats seemingly did as well, until a three-run third inning blew the game wide open.
Embodying their play from the night before, the Sun Devils had a trio of singles in a big third inning where they plated five runners. Junior catcher Emily Schepp had the most notable out of the three with a two-run infield single.
During the diving stop and flip to second by junior infielder Sydney Peterson, senior outfielder Yanixxa Acuna displayed some elite baserunning scoring from second taking note of the long exchange up the middle.
Schepp also homered to center field, going 2-for-4 on the day.
“Feels great to be able to do that, and be there for the offense,” Schepp said.
Chester decided she wasn’t done just yet. Unlike the lyrics to her walk up song “Got It On Me” by Pop Smoke, she had no mercy on sophomore pitcher Miranda DeNava in the circle, as she struck a tape measure shot to center field.
Complementing Chester with a big fly in both games, HoChing blasted a three run shot, which by the eye test and a strong bat flip, appeared to be the hardest hit ball all night. While she may be struggling to make consistent contact, her ability to continually get on base and slug allows her to still be a contributing factor.
Junior pitcher Meika Lauppe delivered another strong performance throwing a complete game of seven innings and three earned runs. She was able to work out of a bases loaded jam in the second and lowered her season ERA to 2.49.
“That was so good,” Chester said. “One of the best I’ve seen her throw.”
For an offense that feels unstoppable, and a pitching staff holding it down in the circle, ASU’s confidence is high as they look to finish the tournament undefeated.
“We certainly want to have a strong finish tomorrow,” Bartlett said. “We’ve got another ballgame to win.”
