Berkeley, Calif.-- The 12th- ranked Arizona State softball team outlasted No. 20 Cal in a 10-inning thriller at Levine-Fricke Field Friday afternoon.
"We never gave up," head coach Trisha Ford said. "G (Juarez) threw great today, it was a great birthday present for her. She didn't feel as great as she did this past weekend so I was really proud of her and the way she came out. She is a special player. For her to work through not feeling well and compete was great to see. Stankiewicz was another player who I was proud of today. Even though she had a few miscues on defense, she came up and had some big hits for us. That is a great sign and I was happy for her to have some big hits today."
The Sun Devils were powered by sophomore lefty G Juarez who pitched the full 10-innings allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out a career-high 17 batters in the ASU win. The 17 strikeouts for Juarez was just two off of the Sun Devils' single-game record of 19 strikeouts, set by Dallas Escobedo against Portland State in February of 2013.
"I was difficult today," Juarez said of her career-long outing. "It is good to prove that I am capable of going the distance in games like this. I knew my team was going to fight no matter what. We are a gritty team and I think that is what made the difference for us today."
At the plate, the Sun Devil offense was led by senior Marisa Stankiewicz, who launched a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot that would stand as the game winner in the top of the tenth inning.
"This game gives us a ton of confidence," Stankiewicz said. "We didn't have our best outing today, but at the same time we know what we are capable of. This was our first true road win and it is always a little shaky at first, but we will be squared away the rest of this weekend."
The Golden Bears would battle back to tie the game in the home-half of the fourth, but a home run from Jade Gortarez in the top of the seventh would put ASU back in front with just a half inning left.
The Golden Bears would again battle back, scratching in a run to tie the game at two at the end of regulation, and forcing the second ASU overtime game of the season.
The Sun Devils will be back in action tomorrow for game two, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PT. Game two will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network, with Kate Scott and Barbara Jordan on the call. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2018 Sun Devil Softball season, by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.
"We never gave up," head coach Trisha Ford said. "G (Juarez) threw great today, it was a great birthday present for her. She didn't feel as great as she did this past weekend so I was really proud of her and the way she came out. She is a special player. For her to work through not feeling well and compete was great to see. Stankiewicz was another player who I was proud of today. Even though she had a few miscues on defense, she came up and had some big hits for us. That is a great sign and I was happy for her to have some big hits today."
The Sun Devils were powered by sophomore lefty G Juarez who pitched the full 10-innings allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out a career-high 17 batters in the ASU win. The 17 strikeouts for Juarez was just two off of the Sun Devils' single-game record of 19 strikeouts, set by Dallas Escobedo against Portland State in February of 2013.
"I was difficult today," Juarez said of her career-long outing. "It is good to prove that I am capable of going the distance in games like this. I knew my team was going to fight no matter what. We are a gritty team and I think that is what made the difference for us today."
At the plate, the Sun Devil offense was led by senior Marisa Stankiewicz, who launched a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot that would stand as the game winner in the top of the tenth inning.
"This game gives us a ton of confidence," Stankiewicz said. "We didn't have our best outing today, but at the same time we know what we are capable of. This was our first true road win and it is always a little shaky at first, but we will be squared away the rest of this weekend."
With neither team able to scratch in a run in the first, it was the Sun Devils who broke onto the board first with a solo shot from Stankiewicz in the second inning to give ASU an early, 1-0, lead.????. Marisa Stankiewicz goes DEEP for @ASUSoftball.
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 23, 2018
The Sun Devils lead 1-0.
Watch #Pac12SB live on the app: https://t.co/ZhZuI5ezsa pic.twitter.com/sbIzrliRwr
The Golden Bears would battle back to tie the game in the home-half of the fourth, but a home run from Jade Gortarez in the top of the seventh would put ASU back in front with just a half inning left.
SEE YA. @jade_g_15 sends this one out to give @ASUSoftball a 2-1 lead.
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 24, 2018
Watch #Pac12SB live on the app: https://t.co/ZhZuI5ezsa pic.twitter.com/ZSCgT59B1D
The Golden Bears would again battle back, scratching in a run to tie the game at two at the end of regulation, and forcing the second ASU overtime game of the season.
Juarez continued to deal in the circle for the Sun Devils, striking out four batters in extras, to seal the Arizona State win..@marisa_stank went deep twice today for @ASUSoftball to help them get the win. She earns the @OpusBank #12Best moment. pic.twitter.com/bDuElMMNj5
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 24, 2018
Happy Birthday to @ggotgame45. She struck out 8?? straight batters and finished with a new career-high 1??7??K in @ASUSoftball's victory. ?? #Pac12SB pic.twitter.com/RxbQyUY0zT
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 24, 2018
The Sun Devils will be back in action tomorrow for game two, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m. PT. Game two will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network, with Kate Scott and Barbara Jordan on the call. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2018 Sun Devil Softball season, by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.