(Photo: Madison Sorenson/ WCSN)
TEMPE — Arizona State softball is still figuring out its rhythm in fall ball, mixing a lineup full of upperclassmen with a few key newcomers.
After defeating Eastern Arizona University 18–4 on Tuesday, the Sun Devils faced their first Division I test on Wednesday in a five-inning doubleheader against Grand Canyon University.
ASU now has a fall ball record of 2–1, winning Tuesday and the second game of two five-inning games on Wednesday. Throughout the game, ASU saw the potential and the areas they need to improve on, especially at the plate.
Game 1 started off quietly, as the Sun Devils offense couldn’t get much going against GCU’s pitchers, Oakley Vickers and Natalie Fritz. Even though the defense played well behind Alissa Silva, a transfer from the University of Arizona, ASU couldn’t score, and GCU started to take control in the third inning.
Silva finished with 3 IP in game one, striking out two, before giving way to Kenzie Brown, who finished the game with 2 IP and four Ks.
The Lopes started strong with a single and a stolen base, followed by a triple from Sydney McCray and a two-run home run from Jada Cooper, giving GCU a 3–0 lead. They would add another run in the fifth, and ASU was limited to just one hit, losing 4–0.
“We’re just learning from each other,” ASU head coach Megan Bartlett said in terms of the player-coach relationship’s development as of now. “They’re learning us, and we’re learning them, and they’re kind of just figuring out what the expectations are day to day.”
The Sun Devils bounced back in Game 2 with a much stronger performance. Freshman pitcher Mary Peyton Hodge set the tone, pitching three innings and striking out three batters, giving the offense confidence to finally spark back.
In the third inning, sophomore outfielder Ashley Mejia delivered the first run with an RBI single, giving ASU a 1–0 lead.
The bats stayed hot, and in the fourth inning, second baseman JazzMarie Roberts, the only freshman starter in game one, hit a two-run double to left field, extending the lead to 3–0.
Pitching was dominant after Hodge, as well as junior pitcher Meika Lauppe, who pitched two innings with one strikeout. Freshman pitcher Lilly Camp came in to close the game, shutting out all three batters in the last of the 5th.
The Sun Devils defense remained strong, with infielders cleaning up grounders and outfielders making routine plays look easy. The second game showed that when ASU’s offense and pitching work together, the team can be very hard to beat.
“Even for our returners, it’s kind of a lot of new, and I think we’re just kind of finding our identity.” Head Coach Bartlett stated. “We have such talented kids. They’re fast, they’re strong. If they can keep it that simple, they’re going to be fine.”
