LOS ANGELES – Sashel Palacios and Katee Aguirre both had home runs but the Arizona State University softball team dropped its series finale to No. 15 UCLA on Sunday, 9-4, in Los Angeles.
The Sun Devils had 10 hits in the contest and rallied back in the third to cut UCLA’s lead to 4-3 after an early Bruin grand slam, but could not complete the comeback as UCLA slowly pulled away.
Breanna Macha (6-7) took the loss for ASU, pitching just 0.2 innings before giving up a grand slam in the first inning and being pulled. Dale Ryndak pitched 3.2 innings in relief, allowing three runs on six hits. Freshman Ciera Schick had a promising collegiate debut in the circle as she struck out five batters in two innings, allowing two runs on three hits.
The Sun Devils clawed back after going into an early 4-0 hole as Taylor Becerra slapped an RBI single into left in the second to get ASU on the board.
An inning later, Palacios led things off with a shot to right and three batters later, Aguirre did the same thing with a moon shot into the trees in left field to make it a 4-3 game.
ASU would get no closer, however, as the Bruins picked away a run or two at a time over the final four innings to pull into a comfortable lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Sun Devils will return home for a three-game series against Stanford beginning Friday at 7 p.m. PT in Tempe. The team will celebrate its annual Senior Day celebration on Sunday prior to the team’s 2 p.m. first pitch against the Cardinal.