Sun Devils earn first win against Arizona in over two years

(Photo credit: Madison Sorenson/WCSN)

TEMPE — Arizona State softball secured its first and only win in this year’s Territorial Cup series against Arizona on Sunday.

The Sun Devils (23-10, 5-4 Big 12) got their first win against the Arizona Wildcats (29-5, 6-3 Big 12) since March 12, 2023. The 3-2 win Sunday helped the Sun Devils avoid their second sweep in a row against their rival down south.

ASU earned the win in the third inning with big hitting that had been absent all series. Freshman outfielder Ashleigh Mejia got nothing but barrel for her eighth home run of the year. The ball was sent to the net protecting the beach volleyball courts out in right field and gave ASU a 2-0 lead, its first lead of the series.

“The energy changes,” Mejia said. “It just kind of makes us at ease. … A lot of times when that happens and we’re up there’s no really putting us down. When we’re up, we’re up, and I really love that about the team.”

Head coach Megan Bartlett had voiced Saturday that the Sun Devils could face a lot of pitchers to end the series. Although the Wildcats have an eight-pitcher rotation, only two were used on Friday and Saturday. One of those pitchers was redshirt senior Devyn Netz, who appeared in the circle for Arizona on Friday and threw a complete game on Saturday.

Bartlett’s prediction came true, as graduate pitcher Miranda Stoddard relieved starting graduate pitcher Saya Swain following Mejia’s home run. Stoddard got a quick welcome to the circle at Farrington Stadium as graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall ripped a ball near the third base bag and down the line.

Hall got to second base standing up, but Wildcats head coach Caitlin Lowe signaled for a review shortly after. Arizona freshman third baseman Jenna Sniffen had been pointing foul the moment the ball hit the ground. After the umpires looked at the reply, the call was confirmed.

Unfortunately for Arizona, that call would have an impact as ASU freshman infielder Tiare Ho-Ching placed the ball in the left-center gap for her ninth extra-base hit of the year. Bartlett waved around Hall at third base, as Hall easily got across the plate to give the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead.

“Honestly, I thought (the Sun Devils) did great,” Bartlett said. “[Assistant coach Josh Bloomer] actually just complimented on that, because we got on them pretty good last night. They woke up ready to fight, ready to win a ballgame. They are certainly very bought in, very resilient, and they continue to get some big wins, so I’m super proud of them.”

Senior right-hander Kenzie Brown once again showcased why she has been Bartlett’s go-to choice in the circle. Brown went six complete innings, only allowing four hits, one earned run and a walk. She got off to a bit of a shaky start after loading the bases in the first inning before recording an out.

“I need to really stop (getting in jams),” Brown said. “I think it was just key in knowing that I am good enough.”

Brown bounced back, punching out three Wildcats in a row. Arizona struggled to hit off her all afternoon, as seven of her eight strikeouts came off batters whiffing swinging.

“I just took that with me the rest of the game,” Brown said. “I’m good enough to get out of things like that.”

Three singles assisted the Wildcats with getting back into the game late. Arizona even had the tying run in scoring position with the leading run on first in the seventh. Under pressure, sophomore right-hander Meika Lauppe closed out the game for ASU.

The win brings ASU to a 2-8 record against the team down south in the Bartlett era. Historically, they still fall short with a 108-120 all-time record in the Cup.

The Sun Devils will continue Big 12 Conference play on the road against Iowa State starting next Friday. With five Big 12 series left, the Sun Devils know they’ll need some key wins to give them a shot at the conference championship.

“They want to win,” Bartlett said. “That’s the reality of this group. They are young, but they are hungry, and they are clearly willing to do what it takes to win. … This group wants it. They love being Sun Devils, they love each other and they’re ready to work.”