TEMPE, Ariz. -- Runs, runs, and more runs! In the program's first meeting with Grand Canyon University (15-19, 4-2), the No. 13 Arizona State Softball team (22-9, 4-5) left its mark both on the field and in the record books. ASU absolutely dominated early as 18 of its 21 runs came in the first two innings, and capitalized off of four early errors from the Lopes, to defeat GCU 21-0 at Farrington Stadium.
In what was one of the best performances for the Sun Devils all season, Makenna Harper said the team's mentality best: "See ball. Hit ball. Let's go do what we gotta do."
And they did.
A 13-run second inning set a program record, and was just one run shy of the NCAA record books for most runs in an inning, which tops off at 14. The seven ASU doubles in today's game also tie a program record for most doubles in a game, last coming in 2015 against Indiana State. Lastly, with 21 runs tonight ASU tied their season high scored against University of Texas, El Paso on March 6. It was also just three short of the program record of 24 runs in a game.
Allison Royalty threw her fourth collegiate complete game and third shutout on Tuesday night. She notched nine strikeouts in the one-hitter through five innings.
"It feels good. I really just went in there and threw my game," Royalty said. "I had a really great offense to go in there and do my thing and work on what I wanted to work on. I feel good."
Royalty faced just 15 batters and walked only two. Royalty was lights out giving up just one hit, and held the Lopes to a 0.67 batting average. Her nine strikeouts ties for second-most in her career - she threw 11 against Incarnate Word on March 5.
Maddi Hackbarth described Royalty as poised in the dugout during that long second inning, "I think as the game went on and she saw more runs on the board she got a little more comfortable in the circle, when you have long innings like that you need to make sure that you're staying warm."
ASU 21, GCU 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
UP NEXT: The Sun Devils will stay at home to host four games at Club Farrington against Pac-12 opponent, Stanford on April 9-11. They will kick off play at 6:30 p.m. MST on Friday, and follow with a doubleheader Saturday at 2:00/5:00 p.m. MST. The final game will be Sunday at noon, and all games will be viewable via the Arizona State Live Stream.
STRAIGHT FACTS
In what was one of the best performances for the Sun Devils all season, Makenna Harper said the team's mentality best: "See ball. Hit ball. Let's go do what we gotta do."
And they did.
PHX IS MAROON AND GOLD ???? pic.twitter.com/u1WBtMDVfG
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 7, 2021
A 13-run second inning set a program record, and was just one run shy of the NCAA record books for most runs in an inning, which tops off at 14. The seven ASU doubles in today's game also tie a program record for most doubles in a game, last coming in 2015 against Indiana State. Lastly, with 21 runs tonight ASU tied their season high scored against University of Texas, El Paso on March 6. It was also just three short of the program record of 24 runs in a game.
?? PROGRAM RECORD ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 7, 2021
Our 13-run 2nd inning is T-most in program history ?? pic.twitter.com/BWQF6W9i5J
Allison Royalty threw her fourth collegiate complete game and third shutout on Tuesday night. She notched nine strikeouts in the one-hitter through five innings.
"It feels good. I really just went in there and threw my game," Royalty said. "I had a really great offense to go in there and do my thing and work on what I wanted to work on. I feel good."
Don't let the score distract you from the fact that our freshman just pitched a 1-hit shutout ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 7, 2021
Royalty faced just 15 batters and walked only two. Royalty was lights out giving up just one hit, and held the Lopes to a 0.67 batting average. Her nine strikeouts ties for second-most in her career - she threw 11 against Incarnate Word on March 5.
Maddi Hackbarth described Royalty as poised in the dugout during that long second inning, "I think as the game went on and she saw more runs on the board she got a little more comfortable in the circle, when you have long innings like that you need to make sure that you're staying warm."
ASU 21, GCU 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- K. Hackbarth scored the first run of the game after an HBP, and two steals took her around the bases. Yanni Acuna scored after a two out fielder's choice was overthrown. With Jazmine Hill and Alynah Torres on base, Jordyn VanHook sent one to dead center to extend the Sun Devil lead 5-0.
- Royalty stranded a leadoff walk in the second and sent the Sun Devils to the home half of the second. Bella Loomis reached on error, and K. Hackbarth on a bad hop to put Harper at the plate. A hit off of the wall brought in two runs for a 7-0 lead, but she was tagged out at second for the first out in the inning. Maddi Hackbarth sent a solo shot to the scoreboard to extend the ASU lead 8-0 and prompted a Lopes pitching change.
- With the bases loaded, Harger cleared the bases with a double for an 11-0 lead. Harper was back at the plate with bases loaded, and doubled to bring in two runners (13-0). M. Hackbarth doubled to send in two more runs and extend the lead 15-0. Torres sent one over the left field wall for a three-run homerun to make it an 18-0 game.
- Royalty stranded two Lopes to end the top half of the third. K. Hackbarth and Emily Cazares each doubled to send in a run to make it a 20-0 game. Mailey McLemore singled in a run to extend the lead 21-0.
- Royalty struck out the side in the fifth to clinch the win.
?? PROGRAM RECORD ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 7, 2021
Yanni's double was the team's 7th of the game, tying a program record ?? pic.twitter.com/PFH6hT90ra
UP NEXT: The Sun Devils will stay at home to host four games at Club Farrington against Pac-12 opponent, Stanford on April 9-11. They will kick off play at 6:30 p.m. MST on Friday, and follow with a doubleheader Saturday at 2:00/5:00 p.m. MST. The final game will be Sunday at noon, and all games will be viewable via the Arizona State Live Stream.
STRAIGHT FACTS
- Royalty now has 84 career strikeouts, and leads the pitching staff.
- 13 runs in the second inning is a program record, and one run shy of the NCAA record books, which caps off at 14.
- The seven ASU doubles in today's game tied a program record for most doubles in a game (last time was 2015 against Indiana State)
- Players who doubled tonight: Kindra Hackbarth, Emily Cazares, Makenna Harper, Maddi Hackbarth, Yanni Acuna (2), and Halle Harger.
- With 21 runs tonight ASU tied their season high, and were just three short of the program record 24 runs in a game.