Tempe, Ariz. – The Arizona State softball team (17-2) defeated South Dakota in an, 8-0, run-rule victory in five innings Tuesday evening at Farrington Stadium. The game marked the fourth of a 13-game home stand for the Sun Devils through the month of March.
"Playing at home is huge," Head coach Trisha Ford said "We get to keep the girls in the same routine, they get to sleep in their own beds, we're not traveling, their families are here. It's one of the best perks of being at ASU. This place is special."
Sophomore, G Juarez, was lights out through her four-inning start in the circle. Juarez, now 6-1 on the year, allowed three hits in her 16 batters faced, recording 10 strikeouts and only one free base, before handing the game over to senior, Breanna Macha who closed out the fifth inning to seal the victory for ASU.
The Sun Devil offense wasted no time, putting up three runs in the bottom half of the first inning courtesy of a two-run homerun from sophomore, Jade Gortarez, that was followed by a solo shot from freshman Danielle Gibson.
In the second inning, the Sun Devils put up one more run when senior, Nichole Chilson lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Marisa Stankiewicz, giving ASU a 4-0 lead over the Coyotes.
The offense did not slow their momentum adding four more runs in the final two innings. In the bottom of the fourth, it was Gortarez and Gibson, again, that lead the ASU offense. An RBI base hit by Gortarez and the second homerun of the night for Gibson put the Sun Devils up 7-0 after four innings.
In the fifth, a sacrifice fly by first year player DeNae Chatman sealed the 8-0 victory over the Coyotes.
"Jade (Gortarez) has been great," Ford added. "She plays the game the right way, she plays hard, she doesn't take things for granted. I think her defense has really stepped up the past couple of games. She's continuing to get better. She's never satisfied with where she's at and you want kids like that on your team because they're going to bring others with them."
At the plate, the Sun Devils outhit the Coyotes, 9-4, including a 6-0 ASU advantage in extra-base hits. Kindra Hackbarth had yet another stellar game, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a stolen base on the evening.
The Sun Devils will be back in action tomorrow, playing host to Georgetown at 6 p.m. MST at Farrington Stadium. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2018 Sun Devil softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.
"Playing at home is huge," Head coach Trisha Ford said "We get to keep the girls in the same routine, they get to sleep in their own beds, we're not traveling, their families are here. It's one of the best perks of being at ASU. This place is special."
Sophomore, G Juarez, was lights out through her four-inning start in the circle. Juarez, now 6-1 on the year, allowed three hits in her 16 batters faced, recording 10 strikeouts and only one free base, before handing the game over to senior, Breanna Macha who closed out the fifth inning to seal the victory for ASU.
The Sun Devil offense wasted no time, putting up three runs in the bottom half of the first inning courtesy of a two-run homerun from sophomore, Jade Gortarez, that was followed by a solo shot from freshman Danielle Gibson.
Ya, let's make it a double... ?? This time it's @danielleeee41 who jumps the yard! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/LMBvB0rkuB
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 7, 2018
In the second inning, the Sun Devils put up one more run when senior, Nichole Chilson lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Marisa Stankiewicz, giving ASU a 4-0 lead over the Coyotes.
The offense did not slow their momentum adding four more runs in the final two innings. In the bottom of the fourth, it was Gortarez and Gibson, again, that lead the ASU offense. An RBI base hit by Gortarez and the second homerun of the night for Gibson put the Sun Devils up 7-0 after four innings.
In the fifth, a sacrifice fly by first year player DeNae Chatman sealed the 8-0 victory over the Coyotes.
Bases Loaded.
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 7, 2018
One out.
Enter @DeNae_Chatman. pic.twitter.com/1gTwTbdknz
"Jade (Gortarez) has been great," Ford added. "She plays the game the right way, she plays hard, she doesn't take things for granted. I think her defense has really stepped up the past couple of games. She's continuing to get better. She's never satisfied with where she's at and you want kids like that on your team because they're going to bring others with them."
At the plate, the Sun Devils outhit the Coyotes, 9-4, including a 6-0 ASU advantage in extra-base hits. Kindra Hackbarth had yet another stellar game, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a stolen base on the evening.
The Sun Devils will be back in action tomorrow, playing host to Georgetown at 6 p.m. MST at Farrington Stadium. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2018 Sun Devil softball season by following @ASUSoftball on Twitter.