TEMPE, Ariz. - The run-rule Sun Devils are back in action in 2022! In the home opener for the No. 21 Arizona State softball team (1-1), ASU defeated Cal Baptist in big bat fashion, securing a 8-0 shutout on opening day. Rookie Cydney Sanders made her mark - hitting a home run in her first collegiate game appearance versus the Lancers.
ASU completed a doubleheader day with a top-25 matchup against No. 5 Oklahoma State. Despite a toe-to-toe battle and comeback effort, the Sun Devils fell to the Cowgirls, 5-2, to close out opening day.
In the bottom of the first inning and with the bases loaded, Loomis scored the first run of the season for the Sun Devils. Another run was scored as Jazmyn Rollin had her first RBI in an ASU uniform to bring in Jazmine Hill. Alynah Torres brought in the third run of the inning for the Sun Devils after Halle Harger had a sacrifice fly. An RBI double by Kristiana Watson made it 5-0 ASU to end the first inning, scoring Sanders and Rollin.
Yannira Acuña was hit by a pitch that brought Hill to second early in the bottom of the second frame. With two outs, a three-run home run by Sanders to begin her offensive career for ASU brought the score to 8-0.
?? FIRST HOMER FOR @SandersCydney ??
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) February 10, 2022
?? Pac-12 Network#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/eSfc72ROdB
The Sun Devils held down fort on defense with the Lancers, as senior Marissa Schuld picked up her first start and win in her Sun Devil debut with four strikeouts and one hit allowed. Freshman Mac Morgan entered the circle at the top of the fifth inning for her collegiate debut. A big-time defensive double play sealed the first win of the season.
Game 2: ASU 2, OSU 5
Allison Royalty started off the second game strong, facing three batters and ending with a strikeout in the first inning. Oklahoma State left two on base in the second before Royalty sent the batter back to the dugout to bring the Sun Devils to the plate.
The Cowgirls struck first as a hit to the pitcher allowed OSU to score the first run of the game in the top of the third inning. OSU kept the pressure on with a three-run home run in the same frame to make it 4-0 for the Cowgirls. Lindsay Lopez entered as relief and went three-up, three-down for the next two consecutive innings.
ASU remained scoreless throughout the bottom of the fourth inning, then OSU had a leadoff solo home run to start off the fifth inning to increase its lead 5-0.
Loomis again touched home plate for another Sun Devil run off a single to right field from Alynah Torres in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jazmine Hill scored ASU's final run off another single to right field - this time by the rookie, Sanders.
More quick work in the circle by Lopez brought ASU's offense back to the plate late in the seventh, but eventually the Cowgirls notched the game, 5-2.
Up Next: The Sun Devils continue competition in the Kajikawa Classic on Friday evening at 4:30 p.m. versus Missouri State. The game can be viewed on the Pac-12 Network. The duo meets again later in the tournament, Sunday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. MST on the ASU Live Stream.
Rookie gets her first TV interview! ??#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/EQQnVLh95R
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) February 11, 2022
QUOTES:
Head coach Trisha Ford
On upcoming schedule
"There were a lot of things I thought we did well, obviously I knew we were going to have a tough opponent today. That's what this year is about, we have a really tough schedule and we're getting some early experience for some of our new kids and our pitchers. I thought Cydney Sanders had a great day today. We just go back to drawing boards and work on things we need to tidy up. I like our fight here."
On Sanders
"I'm happy for her, she's just a great kid. I enjoy coaching her and she's going to get better. We're going to enjoy watching her for four years, and she's gonna be a fun one to watch."
On Lopez's performance in Game 2
"For five and a half innings, we did really well. I thought Lindsay did a tremendous job of coming in. She kept them off balance and kept us in the game."
Jazmine Hill
On going into the sixth in Game 2
"Fight. Give it all we have and take it pitch by pitch and just work together and get it."
On what she liked against Cal Baptist
"I liked our energy. We came off right off the bat strong and we just carried it through."
On the team moving forward
"I think no team should look down on us, we're going to compete and give it all we have."
Cydney Sanders
On first opening day as a Sun Devil
"I really loved being here, this is my environment, I love competition and today I competed."
On team camaraderie
"We love each other, we're sisters and we work hard every single day and I love being at practice with everyone."