Devils victorious in low-scoring affair

The Huskies started things off first as they scored their only run in the top of the third. A Kimberlee Souza single blooped in over the head of ASU second baseman Sam Parlich’s head, scoring Kelli Suguro. Escobedo held off the purple and gold for the rest of the game.

 

The Arizona State offense scored only two runs, but Sun Devil ace Dallas Escobedo was able to take care of the rest as ASU (38-5, 9-3) defeated the Washington Huskies (32-12, 10-5) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Farrington Stadium in Tempe.

The Huskies started things off first as they scored their only run in the top of the third. A Kimberlee Souza single blooped in over the head of ASU second baseman Sam Parlich’s head, scoring Kelli Suguro. Escobedo held off the purple and gold for the rest of the game.

“I like the atmosphere [a game like this] gives,” Escobedo said. “It gave me a lot of memories like I haven’t had one of these types of games in a while. I do love it but I wouldn’t mind 7-1 like last night.”

ASU responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with back-to-back doubles by Hailey Steele and Elizabeth Caporuscio put the Sun Devils on the board. Bethany Kemp then pinch-hit for Kayla Ketchum and singled with the bases loaded, putting ASU ahead for good.

“She pitched me a change-up either my first or second pitch so I knew it was coming,” Kemp said.  “I knew bases loaded less than two outs I had to go up there and make hard contact.”

This is the lowest number of runs ASU has scored this season while still managing to win the game.

“It’s good experience because when we get farther into the season games get tougher and pitchers get better,” Caporuscio said. “It just comes to show we’re not always gonna score a bunch of runs but we’re still gonna stick it out and score when it matters.”

It was only the second time this season ASU lost the first game in a series and came back to win the last two games.

“It’s indicative of us never quitting,” ASU head coach Clint Myers said.  “This was a game from first pitch to last pitch… I was very pleased.”

The Sun Devils head to Salt Lake City for a three game series with Utah next weekend. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. PT.

Game Stats/Notes:

Escobedo: 7IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO; Inglesby: 6 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO; Steele: 2-3, 1 R; Kemp: 1-1, 1 RBI; Girard: 2-3

Alix Johnson and Mary Spiel remain suspended indefinitely. Coach Myers said it was an internal matter and declined comment on the situation.