SALT LAKE CITY -- The No. 14 Sun Devil Softball team (20-8, 3-4) collected its ninth-straight win over Pac-12 Conference competitor, Utah (11-14, 0-7), in run-rule fashion on Thursday afternoon. Arizona State scored nine runs while sophomore pitcher Lindsay Lopez held the Utes to one to secure ASU's 11th run-rule this season.
Maddi Hackbarth hit her 13th home run on the season to extend her Pac-12 lead. Halle Harger hit her first two doubles of the season in back-to-back at-bats, notching three RBI - a single-game high for the redshirt junior as a Sun Devil.
Not much in life is guaranteed, but Maddi Hackbarth home runs against Utah are a sure thing. In the four years since becoming a Sun Devil, Hackbarth has hit nine dingers against the Utes. She's currently on a four-game home run streak against Utah.
Softball has run-ruled 11 opponents this season and held nine to one run or less. With Thursday's win, ASU tied its longest win streak against Utah set from 1975-1981.
ASU went on a late offensive flurry to enter run-rule territory, scoring four runs in the sixth inning as the big bats proved they came to play. The Hackbarth twins combined for all four RBIs - one from a triple by Kindra and the remaining from a three-run dinger from Maddi Hackbarth.
Historically, the Sun Devil bats get more dangerous as the game progresses. This season, while in the fourth inning or after, ASU has scored four or more runs in a single inning nine times.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Maddi Hackbarth hit her 13th home run on the season to extend her Pac-12 lead. Halle Harger hit her first two doubles of the season in back-to-back at-bats, notching three RBI - a single-game high for the redshirt junior as a Sun Devil.
U know the vibes ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 2, 2021
NINE straight wins vs Utah pic.twitter.com/Z4Slp83p6D
Not much in life is guaranteed, but Maddi Hackbarth home runs against Utah are a sure thing. In the four years since becoming a Sun Devil, Hackbarth has hit nine dingers against the Utes. She's currently on a four-game home run streak against Utah.
DEATH. TAXES. MADDI HOME RUNS VS UTAH
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 2, 2021
Softball has run-ruled 11 opponents this season and held nine to one run or less. With Thursday's win, ASU tied its longest win streak against Utah set from 1975-1981.
ASU went on a late offensive flurry to enter run-rule territory, scoring four runs in the sixth inning as the big bats proved they came to play. The Hackbarth twins combined for all four RBIs - one from a triple by Kindra and the remaining from a three-run dinger from Maddi Hackbarth.
Historically, the Sun Devil bats get more dangerous as the game progresses. This season, while in the fourth inning or after, ASU has scored four or more runs in a single inning nine times.
Did you miss her, Utah? ??@Maddihack23 /// #OnTheBoat pic.twitter.com/j0KcTSZlBr
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 2, 2021
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Sun Devils took the plate first and had no trouble getting on base immediately. The Utes issued a walk to ASU's leadoff batter, Kindra Hackbarth. Jazmine Hill hit a single to left field. Maddi Hackbarth reached on a fielder's choice that saw her twin out on third. ASU closed the inning with two runners stranded.
- Lindsay Lopez made her 11th start this season in the circle. Utah's leadoff batter reached on an error by Bella Loomis, but Lopez made quick work, notching the next three outs.
- The Utes issued another leadoff batter to start the second, giving Makenna Harper a free base. Jordyn VanHook made her start at first base and grounded out in her first at-bat as Harper put on the speed to advance to second. Halle Harger doubled to left field, and Harper touched home plate for the game's first run.
- ASU had runners on the corners after an error by the Utah shortstop advanced Harger to third, and put Loomis on first. Utah's pitching staff had no answer for the All-American as Kindra Hackbarth hit a two-RBI double to left field to bring Harger and Loomis home. ASU led 3-0 to end the second.
- Lopez went right back to work on the mound, cruising to three outs in only four batters faced.
- ASU started the third inning with yet another free base from Utah as Yannira Acuna was hit by a pitch. The Utes chose to get Acuna out in the next play as Makenna Harper reached on a fielder's choice. VanHook singled to position one as Harper reached second with an error and continued to advance to third.
- Harger doubled AGAIN to bring home VanHook and Harper to push ASU's lead to 5-0.
- Lopez collected two strikeouts to keep the Utes scoreless through three innings. Utah hit a home run in the fourth inning to put one run on the board.
- The Sun Devil offense came to play in the sixth inning, scoring four runs. The Hackbarth twins combined for all four RBIs - one from a triple by Kindra and the remaining three from a three-run dinger from Maddi Hackbarth. The Sun Devils entered run-rule territory thanks to Maddi's 13th HR on the season with a 9-1 lead.