Despite losing two of three games against Utah last weekend in Salt Lake City, No. 5 Arizona State (40-7, 11-5) hit six home runs to lead the Sun Devils to a 10-2 victory over No. 10 California (35-10, 9-7).
Alix Johnson and Cheyenne Coyle led off the game with back-to back home runs to give ASU the early 2-0 lead. Later in the inning Sam Parlich lined a ball over the left field fence for a grand slam giving ASU a 6-0 advantage after one inning. The Sun Devils never looked back.
Parlich’s grand slam was the team’s fifth of the year. “It was pretty exciting,” Parlich said. “I think we had a great week of practice and we wanted to prove what a great team we are by coming out and being explosive.”
Amber Freeman hit a home run in the bottom of the second to give ASU a 7-0 lead. Four Sun Devils now have at least ten home runs. “I thought the approaches were good, I thought the intensity was good, I thought the dugout was good,” ASU head coach Clint Myers said. “A home run is just a byproduct of a good swing.”
Bethany Kemp added a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to stretch the Sun Devil lead to 9-0.
Cal attempted a comeback in the top of the fifth with a two run home run by Cheyenne Cordes that narrowed the ASU lead to 9-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Coyle stepped to the plate and hit her second home run of the night to give ASU the walk off win. ASU’s six home runs are a new best for a single game this season. “Regardless of who they throw in the circle we’re ready,” Parlich said.
The 40th win for the Sun Devils on the season gives coach Myers at least 40 wins in each of his first eight seasons as head coach. “We had three outstanding days of practice and the key was to go out and play like we practiced,” Myers said. “That’s still not our best softball.”
Game notes:
ASU
Alix Johnson participated in her first home game since Marth 30th vs. Oregon State. She was reinstated by Coach Myers following a suspension and went 1-4 with one run and one RBI.
Coyle: 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Freeman: 2-3, 2 R, 1 RBI
Parlich: 1-2, 1 R, 4 RBI
Wigness: 2-3
Kemp: 1-2 2 R, 2 RBI
Escobedo: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 strikeouts
Cal
Cordes: 1-1, 1 R, 2 RBI
Ontiveros: L .1 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 strikeout
Owens: 4IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 strikeout
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