TEMPE -- As part of an explosive Arizona State softball offense, four freshmen collected home runs to run-rule the Maryland Terrapins, 16-2, on Sunday afternoon at Farrington Stadium. The Sun Devils scored in each of the four innings, with a game-high six runs scored in the third inning.
Arizona State (16-6) finished the Sun Devil Classic with a 4-1 record after splitting their doubleheader and shutting out Southern Utah 12-0 on Saturday evening at Farrington Stadium.
"We came out ready to go from the first inning," said Head Coach Trisha Ford. "Maryland has had a good weekend here, they've played some good games and it was really important for us to come out strong. The bats did really well for us today too."
The Sun Devils were the first on the board in the bottom of the first after a series of walks loaded the bases as ASU home run leader Alynah Torres stepped up to bat. Torres reached first on a fielder's choice that saw Hill putout on a toss from second to shortstop while Kindra Hackbarth ran in to score. On the next at-bat, Maddi Hackbarth hit a sacrifice fly to bring Bella Loomis home.
In the second inning, a double from K. Hackbarth earned two RBI. M. Hackbarth hit her second sacrifice fly for an RBI as K. Hackbarth stepped on home plate, bringing the Sun Devil lead to 5-0.
The Sun Devils kept the offensive throttle punched through the third to score a game-high six runs in the inning. Savannah Morales stepped in as a pinch runner for Alli Tatnall and scored after a single to right field from Makenna Harper. With two outs, Bella Loomis reached first on an error by the right fielder and advanced to second on the throw that also opened the lane home for Harper and Kiara Kennedy to score. In the next at-bat, Jazmine Hill hit a double and advanced to third on an error that brought Loomis home. Alynah Torres finished the inning with a two-run home run.
Morgan Leinstock made her first appearance in the circle at the top of the fourth and totaled back-to-back swinging strikeouts. The bottom of the fourth consisted of three home runs from freshmen Jordyn Vanhook, Lindsay Lopez, and Jazmine Hill that subsequently brought in pinch runners Olivia Miller and Halle Harger. With Leinstock on the mound, Maryland mustered two runs at the top of the fifth to avoid a shutout, yet the Devils secured the run-rule victory with a fourteen-point lead.
In her 11th start of the season, Cielo Meza notched two strikeouts in 10 batters faced through three innings. Leinstock pitched two innings and recorded three strikeouts with four hits and two runs.
Up Next
No. 17 Arizona State (16-6) hosts the ASU Invitational from Mar. 5-8 at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils will also face South Dakota in a midweek matchup on Mar. 10 at Farrington Stadium. Fans can follow @ASUSoftball on Twitter to keep up all season long.
Arizona State (16-6) finished the Sun Devil Classic with a 4-1 record after splitting their doubleheader and shutting out Southern Utah 12-0 on Saturday evening at Farrington Stadium.
The Sun Devils finish the Sun Devil Classic with a punch?? #ForksUp #OnTheBoat pic.twitter.com/EfRc01VDnx
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 1, 2020
"We came out ready to go from the first inning," said Head Coach Trisha Ford. "Maryland has had a good weekend here, they've played some good games and it was really important for us to come out strong. The bats did really well for us today too."
The Sun Devils were the first on the board in the bottom of the first after a series of walks loaded the bases as ASU home run leader Alynah Torres stepped up to bat. Torres reached first on a fielder's choice that saw Hill putout on a toss from second to shortstop while Kindra Hackbarth ran in to score. On the next at-bat, Maddi Hackbarth hit a sacrifice fly to bring Bella Loomis home.
In the second inning, a double from K. Hackbarth earned two RBI. M. Hackbarth hit her second sacrifice fly for an RBI as K. Hackbarth stepped on home plate, bringing the Sun Devil lead to 5-0.
The Sun Devils kept the offensive throttle punched through the third to score a game-high six runs in the inning. Savannah Morales stepped in as a pinch runner for Alli Tatnall and scored after a single to right field from Makenna Harper. With two outs, Bella Loomis reached first on an error by the right fielder and advanced to second on the throw that also opened the lane home for Harper and Kiara Kennedy to score. In the next at-bat, Jazmine Hill hit a double and advanced to third on an error that brought Loomis home. Alynah Torres finished the inning with a two-run home run.
Back to back strikeouts in @MLeinstock's 1?st Sun Devil appearance?? #ForksUp #OnTheBoat pic.twitter.com/B8UFeoDxOf
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 1, 2020
Morgan Leinstock made her first appearance in the circle at the top of the fourth and totaled back-to-back swinging strikeouts. The bottom of the fourth consisted of three home runs from freshmen Jordyn Vanhook, Lindsay Lopez, and Jazmine Hill that subsequently brought in pinch runners Olivia Miller and Halle Harger. With Leinstock on the mound, Maryland mustered two runs at the top of the fifth to avoid a shutout, yet the Devils secured the run-rule victory with a fourteen-point lead.
In her 11th start of the season, Cielo Meza notched two strikeouts in 10 batters faced through three innings. Leinstock pitched two innings and recorded three strikeouts with four hits and two runs.
4?? homers from 4?? rookies #OnTheBoat pic.twitter.com/crgBxtcjLZ
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) March 1, 2020
Up Next
No. 17 Arizona State (16-6) hosts the ASU Invitational from Mar. 5-8 at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils will also face South Dakota in a midweek matchup on Mar. 10 at Farrington Stadium. Fans can follow @ASUSoftball on Twitter to keep up all season long.