Oxford, Miss -- The No. 22 Arizona State softball team battled until the very end, but fell to North Carolina, 3-2, in their final appearance of the 2017 season Saturday night in Oxford.
"I told this team that it is never easy to end your season," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I was really proud of the fight that they showed. They weren't picked to finish very high and they did a hell of a job, and I think it is in large part due to our three seniors. They bought into our system, and I am their third head coach in four seasons and they have just been phenomenal. I am very proud of them. Their integrity, their tenacity, their leadership, at ASU we produce some great human beings. And that is what I am most proud of. I know where this program is heading and they got to be a part of the start of the rise of ASU."
The Sun Devils found themselves in a pitching duel once again in Saturday's game, with freshman lefty Giselle Juarez battling pitch for pitch with North Carolina's Kellyn Daly. Juarez held the Tar Heels to just one hit through the first two innings of play, but it was a three hit third that plated the game's first run for UNC.
Carolina tacked on one more in the bottom of the fourth, before adding one more in the fifth to carry a 3-0 lead into the final two innings of play.
With the neither team able to plate a run in the sixth, the Sun Devils led off the seventh needing to get a rally going. Nichole Chilson did just that, roping a leadoff single to right, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle. Two batters later, Chilson was moved over by Brynley Steele, who drew a four-pitch walk. In the very next at-bat, sophomore Taylor Becerra drew a walk, loading the bases for senior Chelsea Gonzales to the plate. The slugging shortstop bounced an grounder through the infield, but a great play by the UNC shortstop held Gonzales to a fielders' choice, but pulled the Sun Devils within striking distance.
With two on and two away in the final frame, senior Sashel Palacios picked up another ASU RBI with a loping single to left, pulling the score to 2-3 with runners on first and second and two away. Unfortunately the rally would end there as a pop-up to shortstop ended the threat, and the season for the Sun Devils, 3-2.
With the loss, Arizona State ended the season with a 31-22 record on the season, their 22nd - straight 30 win season, and 23rd - consecutive winning season.
The loss also brought the playing careers of Gonzales, Palacios and Margaret Stahm to an end. Collectively, the trio of Sun Devils accounted for 132 hits, 91 runs and 111 RBI in 2017. Leading the way was Gonzales, who accounted for 53 hits and 49 RBI. Her 44 career-home runs rank sixth all-time in ASU history, while her 183 RBI check in at No. 7 in ASU's storied history.
"It has been an awesome four-years," Gonzales said. "It has been an honor to play for Arizona State and wear this jersey."
While the Sun Devils will turn the page on the 2017 season, the future is bright for the team heading into 2018. The Sun Devils look to build on their success in 2017 with the majority of their pitching and outfield returning next season. Fans can stay up to date with the team through the off-season by following the team at @ASUSoftball on Twitter.
"I told this team that it is never easy to end your season," head coach Trisha Ford said. "I was really proud of the fight that they showed. They weren't picked to finish very high and they did a hell of a job, and I think it is in large part due to our three seniors. They bought into our system, and I am their third head coach in four seasons and they have just been phenomenal. I am very proud of them. Their integrity, their tenacity, their leadership, at ASU we produce some great human beings. And that is what I am most proud of. I know where this program is heading and they got to be a part of the start of the rise of ASU."
The Sun Devils found themselves in a pitching duel once again in Saturday's game, with freshman lefty Giselle Juarez battling pitch for pitch with North Carolina's Kellyn Daly. Juarez held the Tar Heels to just one hit through the first two innings of play, but it was a three hit third that plated the game's first run for UNC.
Carolina tacked on one more in the bottom of the fourth, before adding one more in the fifth to carry a 3-0 lead into the final two innings of play.
With the neither team able to plate a run in the sixth, the Sun Devils led off the seventh needing to get a rally going. Nichole Chilson did just that, roping a leadoff single to right, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle. Two batters later, Chilson was moved over by Brynley Steele, who drew a four-pitch walk. In the very next at-bat, sophomore Taylor Becerra drew a walk, loading the bases for senior Chelsea Gonzales to the plate. The slugging shortstop bounced an grounder through the infield, but a great play by the UNC shortstop held Gonzales to a fielders' choice, but pulled the Sun Devils within striking distance.
With two on and two away in the final frame, senior Sashel Palacios picked up another ASU RBI with a loping single to left, pulling the score to 2-3 with runners on first and second and two away. Unfortunately the rally would end there as a pop-up to shortstop ended the threat, and the season for the Sun Devils, 3-2.
With the loss, Arizona State ended the season with a 31-22 record on the season, their 22nd - straight 30 win season, and 23rd - consecutive winning season.
The loss also brought the playing careers of Gonzales, Palacios and Margaret Stahm to an end. Collectively, the trio of Sun Devils accounted for 132 hits, 91 runs and 111 RBI in 2017. Leading the way was Gonzales, who accounted for 53 hits and 49 RBI. Her 44 career-home runs rank sixth all-time in ASU history, while her 183 RBI check in at No. 7 in ASU's storied history.
"It has been an awesome four-years," Gonzales said. "It has been an honor to play for Arizona State and wear this jersey."
While the Sun Devils will turn the page on the 2017 season, the future is bright for the team heading into 2018. The Sun Devils look to build on their success in 2017 with the majority of their pitching and outfield returning next season. Fans can stay up to date with the team through the off-season by following the team at @ASUSoftball on Twitter.