TEMPE – The Arizona State University softball team outlasted Stanford on Saturday in Tempe, holding on to a 6-5 victory to takes it first Pac-12 series since early April.
Katee Aguirre went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and four RBIs. Chelsea Gonzales had a solid game, going 2-for-3 and showed off plenty of defense with three infield assists and a putout from shortstop. Nikki Girard added two RBIs as well, now with five in the series as the ASU seniors have accounted for 10 of the 15 RBIs for the Sun Devils in two games this weekend.
Aguirre goes deep with a 3-run HR to earn @ASUSoftball's #12Best moment! https://t.co/Qo3VQCdoqy
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) May 7, 2016
ASU’s sophomore pitching duo completed the job in the circle. Breanna Macha earned the win, allowing four earned runs on six hits. Dale Ryndak came on in relief in the fifth inning and allowed just one hit and one earned run, retiring nine consecutive batters to close the game and earn her second save of the season.
The Sun Devils started the game off with a big first inning. Taylor Becerra walked and Girard delivered a single with two outs to score the freshman. Gonzales drew a walk and Aguirre hit a monster shot to the scoreboard for a three-run home run and a 4-0 lead.
Stanford got on the board in the top of the third after two quick hits from Molly Fowkes and Kayla Bonstrom gave the Cardinal runners on the corners with no outs. Bessie Noll singled past a diving Becerra at third to score one run. Both runners advanced into scoring position after a ground out and Kaitlin Schaberg tied the game with a three-run home run.
ASU responded in the bottom frame as Girard led things off with a walk. Gonzales hit one over the first baseman’s head for a single to put runners on the corners. Aguirre followed with a double down to left field to score Girard for the 5-4 lead.
The Sun Devils added one more run after Jenn Soria doubled in the fourth inning. Sashel Palacios laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. Girard then grounded out on as the ball deflected off the pitcher’s leg, straight to the second baseman, allowing Soria to score and extending ASU’s lead to 6-4.
The Cardinal made it a one run game after Noll hit a solo home run on the first pitch she saw from Ryndak. But that was all the sophomore RHP and ASU defense allowed, as they kept Stanford off the board the rest of the game with nine consecutive outs to seal the victory.
M4 | Macha bounces back with pair of K's and some help from @cgonzales112 to keep Stanford off the board. 5-4, ASUhttps://t.co/pUkGRNIzIt
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) May 7, 2016
The Sun Devils will play the series finale tomorrow at Farrington Stadium. It is the final home game of the season and the team will pay tribute to its graduating seniors following the game. First pitch is set for 2 pm. PT and the game will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Arizona/Bay Area.