by Emily Ducker, Sun Devil media relations intern
TEMPE, Ariz.-- The No. 8 Arizona State softball team (35-9, 9-6) battled through eight innings, but ultimately fell to No. 13 Arizona (31-13, 8-10) 4-2, dropping the Territorial Cup Series.
Left handed pitcher G Juarez (19-3) led ASU through all eight in the circle, striking out six Wildcats in the contest. On the season, Juarez has held opposing hitters to a miniscule .136 batting average while amassing 232 strikeouts, good enough to rank 12th in ASU single season history.
The Sun Devils' got things started early, when outfielder Kindra Hackbarth doubled down the infield line in the bottom of the first. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, a Jade Gortarez RBI brought her in to put ASU up 1-0 heading to the second.
Both teams were held scoreless through the next five innings, until an Arizona homer brought in two-runs in the top of the sixth to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
The Sun Devil defense quickly retired three Wildcats in the top of the seventh before senior Marisa Stankiewicz powered one over the fence to tie things up at 2. The hit was good for the second baseman's seventh home run of the season, and marked the 68th- long ball of the season for ASU.
A Wildcat single in the top of the eighth brought in two to put Arizona up,, 4-2, heading to the bottom of the eighth.
Junior outfielder Morgan Howe laced a two-out single to right field, but the would-be Sun Devil rally would come up just short, marking a 4-2 final.
Next up for the Sun Devils, the crew will head to Utah for a three-game series Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29. The games will be broadcast via Utah's Pac-12 live stream channel.