(Photo via Julia Coyne/WCSN)
TEMPE — Coming off its first loss of the fall season to GCU, ASU softball was back at Farrington Stadium Friday night for its intrasquad scrimmage and last game activity of the fall season.
Following the 4-0 loss to the Lopes, the Sun Devils hosted the Maroon & Gold intrasquad game. Friday’s scrimmage was the last chance for fans and media to see the impact that several newcomers from the transfer portal could have on this team come spring.
To start off for the Maroon team, sophomore right-handed pitcher Kylee Magee struggled to find the zone, allowing a double from graduate infielder Jordyn VanHook and graduate hitting utility player Marissa Schuld. Magee eventually rallied to end the inning by striking out sophomore catcher Shannon Cunningham.
On the other side for ASU, the Gold team started freshman right-hander Meika Lauppe, who had a great inning for the Devils. She allowed zero runs, struck out sophomore outfielder Yannixa Acuña and ended the inning by forcing VanHook – who played for both teams – to hit a routine ground ball to first base for the easy out.
After some warming up, Maroon stepped up the plate to make things interesting. After a steal put a runner on second, an error later allowed another runner on base. Graduate infielder Alesia Denby then crushed a home run into right field, putting three runs on the board. Thanks to Denby, Maroon took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Following the homer, Gold still struggled defensively. They threw a wild pitch and made another error. Eventually, the Gold team got out of the inning by getting senior catcher Sara Kinch to hit a fly ball for an easy out to end the inning.
Throughout all four innings of the scrimmage, both teams managed e to stay consistent on defense and offense, showing key improvements for the Sun Devils. Some minor errors were made but quickly fixed by the players. Ultimately, it came down to the Maroon team’s ability to put runs on the board early. They went on to score another run off an error made at third base, giving them the 4-0 lead.
But before the game ended, Gold did find a way to strike back. With no outs and runners at first and third, VanHook stepped up to the plate with Schuld on the mound. She slammed a double, bringing home both runners to cut Gold’s deficit in half.
Finally, in the bottom of the fourth, senior righty Mac Osborne entered the circle for Gold. She started strong, forcing a pop-up from senior infielder Kayla Lissy, but once again, VanHook, already having a great game, stepped up looking to wreak havoc. VanHook, with a runner on, hit a single over the third baseman’s head, bringing in another run and giving Maroon the 5-2 win.
Throughout every inning, one thing stayed consistent for both sides, and that was the communication on and off the field. Between transfers and incoming freshmen, ASU has a total of eleven newcomers, but already, this team has a lot of great chemistry with each other, something that head coach Megan Bartlett pointed out.
“I love this group,” Bartlett said. “You can kind of tell they connect well, push each other. The clubhouse is just a fun place to be right now.”
