SALT LAKE CITY – Dale Ryndak put together an exceptional four-hit outing, but the Arizona State University softball team came out on the wrong end of a tough 3-1 decision on Sunday night in Salt Lake City.
The sophomore pitcher went the distance, scattering four hits and allowing just two walks but the ASU offense struggled to give her the run support she would need to close the deal.
ASU stranded six runners in the contest, the most decisive of which coming in the sixth inning when the Devils stranded two runners with just one out despite bringing a run home in the frame.
Miranda Viramontes did enough to stifle the ASU offense, pitching 5.1 innings with three strikeouts. Katie Donovan earned her second save of the season in relief, striking out three in just 1.2 innings pitched.
Nikki Girard and Sashel Palacios were the lone Sun Devil bright spots on offense, both finishing 2-for-3. Palacios had an RBI single in the sixth after a heroic at-bat from Girard, who fouled one hard off her shin and was down for several minutes before returning to the plate. The senior fouled off six more pitches before singling up the middle to give Palacios a chance.
With runners on first and second and just one out, Donovan entered the game and quickly struck out Nichole Chilson and Katee Aguirre to end the threat.
The Sun Devils will look to salvage the series tomorrow in the Pac-12 Game of the Week, set for a 6 p.m. PT first pitch on the Pac-12 Network.