Eugene, Ore. -- The No. 21 Arizona State softball team fell on the road at No. 3 Oregon, 8-4, Saturday afternoon at Jane Sanders Stadium.
With neither team able to plate a run in the first, the Sun Devils jumped out to an early lead in the second when junior Nichole Chilson blasted an RBI double to right field that brought in Marissa Stankiewicz from third for the game's first score.
The Ducks would counter in the home half of the inning, making it a 1-1 game heading to the third.
ASU got to work early in the third as both Chelsea Gonzales and Sashel Palacios lead of the inning with back-to-back walks. Following a strikeout and a third walk, the Sun Devils regained the lead when Fa Leilua reached on a fielder's choice that scored Gonzales. The scoring would not end there for the Sun Devils, as they would plate another run off yet another Chilson double to make it a 3-1 ASU lead.
the lead would not last, however, as the Ducks would bring in two runs on two hits in the bottom half of the frame, to make it a 3-3 game heading to the fourth.
After holding the Sun Devils scoreless in both the fourth and fifth innings, the Ducks would break the game open combining for four runs on five hits in the middle innings to take a 7-3 lead into the sixth inning.
ASU would add a run of their own in the sixth with an infield single from Skylar McCarty that brought in Briana Wise, but the Ducks would counter with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.
Facing an 8-4 deficit, the Sun Devils fought back in the final half inning, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single by Leilua, but the would be comeback was stamped out by the Ducks with a strikeout and a groundout to wrap up the Duck's 32nd straight win of the season.
ASU did hit a few milestones in Saturday's contest, including drawing eight walks at the plate, marking the sixth game this season to draw at least seven walks in a game. The eight walks Saturday were the most for the Sun Devils since March 2, when the team drew eight walks against Cal State Fullerton.
The Sun Devils also hit an impressive four doubles in the Saturday afternoon matchup, marking a new season-high for the team, and was the first time a Sun Devil team connected on four or more doubles since hitting five against Long Beach State on March 5, 2016.
ASU softball will be back in action to wrap up the three-game set against the Ducks Sunday afternoon. First pitch in the series finale is scheduled for noon. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2017 softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.
With neither team able to plate a run in the first, the Sun Devils jumped out to an early lead in the second when junior Nichole Chilson blasted an RBI double to right field that brought in Marissa Stankiewicz from third for the game's first score.
The Ducks would counter in the home half of the inning, making it a 1-1 game heading to the third.
ASU got to work early in the third as both Chelsea Gonzales and Sashel Palacios lead of the inning with back-to-back walks. Following a strikeout and a third walk, the Sun Devils regained the lead when Fa Leilua reached on a fielder's choice that scored Gonzales. The scoring would not end there for the Sun Devils, as they would plate another run off yet another Chilson double to make it a 3-1 ASU lead.
the lead would not last, however, as the Ducks would bring in two runs on two hits in the bottom half of the frame, to make it a 3-3 game heading to the fourth.
After holding the Sun Devils scoreless in both the fourth and fifth innings, the Ducks would break the game open combining for four runs on five hits in the middle innings to take a 7-3 lead into the sixth inning.
ASU would add a run of their own in the sixth with an infield single from Skylar McCarty that brought in Briana Wise, but the Ducks would counter with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.
Facing an 8-4 deficit, the Sun Devils fought back in the final half inning, loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single by Leilua, but the would be comeback was stamped out by the Ducks with a strikeout and a groundout to wrap up the Duck's 32nd straight win of the season.
ASU did hit a few milestones in Saturday's contest, including drawing eight walks at the plate, marking the sixth game this season to draw at least seven walks in a game. The eight walks Saturday were the most for the Sun Devils since March 2, when the team drew eight walks against Cal State Fullerton.
The Sun Devils also hit an impressive four doubles in the Saturday afternoon matchup, marking a new season-high for the team, and was the first time a Sun Devil team connected on four or more doubles since hitting five against Long Beach State on March 5, 2016.
ASU softball will be back in action to wrap up the three-game set against the Ducks Sunday afternoon. First pitch in the series finale is scheduled for noon. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2017 softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.