TEMPE – The No. 21 Arizona State softball team fell to No. 18 Arizona, 5-4, undone for the second straight game by a two-run Wildcat home run in the seventh inning.
The Sun Devils rallied to score in two consecutive innings to take the lead against the in-state foe on Chelsea Gonzales’ eighth home run of the season, but ultimately fell short on getting the final out to end the game.
Breanna Macha (6-4) took the loss as a two-run Wildcat homer in the top of the seventh proved to be the difference for the second consecutive day.
The sophomore pitched the complete game, scattering six hits, one walk and four earned runs.
The Wildcats took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning before adding two more runs in the third off a two-run Mandie Perez home run.
Trailing 3-0, ASU got one back in the bottom of the third after Fa Leilua reach on a hit by pitch and Sashel Palacios followed with a long single off the wall in right field.
Leilua scored when pinch runner Breona Peralta stole second as the ball ended in the outfield, cutting the lead to 3-1.
The Sun Devils kept the bats going in the bottom of the fourth. Nichole Chilson singled and Katee Aguirre reached on a fielder’s choice to put runners on first and second with just one out.
Gonzales came to the plate and hit a monster two-run home run to give ASU the 4-3 lead.
After two scoreless innings from both teams, Perez came to bat with two outs and hit her second two-run homer of the day to give Arizona the lead that held to be final.
The Sun Devils and Wildcats will play the series finale tomorrow at 5 p.m. Arizona time at Farrington Stadium.