TEMPE – The No. 25 Arizona State softball team dropped the first of a three-game series to No. 5 Oregon, 10-4.
The Sun Devils recorded nine hits in the game by seven different batters. Seniors Katee Aguirre and Jenn Soria both hit two-run home runs to account for all the ASU scoring.
Dale Ryndak (8-4) took the loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits in four innings pitched, thought a couple defensive miscues in the decisive fifth inning didn’t help her cause. Breanna Macha tossed three innings in relief, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two strikeouts.
ASU scored first after Sashel Palacios singled to the wall in right field. Aguirre hit her fifth home run of the season immediately after that for a 2-0 lead.
The Ducks mirrored ASU in the following frame with a two-run homer of their own off the bat of Nikki Udria to tie the game at two runs apiece.
ASU had a major opportunity in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with no outs and chasing OU starting pitcher Cheridan Hawkins from the game. But a pair of infield outs and strikeout from relief pitcher Geri Ann Glasco got the Ducks out of the frame unscathed.
Oregon made ASU pay for it’s inability to take advantage in the top of the fifth, scoring five runs off six hits and two Sun Devils errors to take a commanding 7-2 lead. The defensive lapses blemished what had otherwise been an exceptional performance for an ASU defense that turned four double plays in the game.
ASU got two back in the bottom half when Soria hit a two-run homer following a Nikki Girard single to cut the deficit to 7-4.
ASU needed just one strike to get out of the top of the seventh unscathed and within striking distance but a three-run homer from Janelle Lindvall would put the game out of reach, making it 10-4.
Arizona State and Oregon will play game two of the series tomorrow at 7 p.m. PT. The game will air live on Pac-12 Network Arizona/Oregon.