TEMPE, Ariz. -- On Friday night No. 17/15 Arizona State softball (17-7) was held scoreless for the first time this season in a 2-0 loss to New Mexico State (12-7) in the ASU Invitational.
"We didn't come ready for the game today. This is not ASU softball," said Head Coach Trisha Ford. "Tonight isn't about the loss - it's how we played but I'm confident that our team will shake it off."
Despite two hits from each team, the first few innings were scoreless.
After a passed ball and an error from the Sun Devils in the top of the fourth, the Aggies capitalized for a 1-0 lead. In the following inning, New Mexico State scored their second run despite solid defensive work from Bella Loomis and DeNae Chatman.
Madison Preston started in the circle and totaled six strikeouts in five innings. Preston was relieved at the top of the six by Samantha Mejia who earned two strikeouts to help end the inning.
At the bottom of the sixth, Chatman hit a double to left field that put pinch runner Olivia Miller on third base. After a pitching change from the Aggies, the Sun Devils were unable to muster a hit to bring in Chatman and Miller, leaving them stranded to end the inning.
Mejia delivered three consecutive strikeouts at the top of the seventh. In the bottom half of the inning with two outs on the board, Loomis sparked offense with a double that bounced off the back. However, the Devils ended the game after Jazmine Hill grounded out to the Aggies' pitcher.
Up Next: Arizona State continues to host the ASU Invitational tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 7 for a doubleheader. The Sun Devils will play Nebraska (8-12) at 4:30 p.m. MST and Leigh (6-4) at 7:00 p.m. MST at Farrington Stadium in Tempe. Follow along with Sun Devil softball all season long on Twitter @ASUSoftball.