AMES, Iowa – Sun Devil Softball opened its Big 12 series with Iowa State by splitting a doubleheader on Friday at the Cyclone Sports Complex. Arizona State quickly responded from dropping the opener 4-3 with an 18-4 win in the nightcap.
The Sun Devils scored multiple runs in all five innings of game two, including six in the first and five in the fifth to set a season-high for runs scored. Every starter had at least one hit and six Sun Devils recorded multiple hits.
Kelsey Hall opened the scoring with a 2-run single and then Samantha Swan added a 2-run double. Grace Molitor closed the first inning scoring spree with a 2-run homer to left.
It was 9-1 in the third when Ayden Allen singled to right to score a pair of runs. She then doubled home two more in the fourth to open the ASU lead to 13-4.
Takyla Davis homered to start the fifth-inning scoring. Hall then singled home a run before Ashleigh Mejia smacked a 3-run shot to right to provide the final runs of the game.
Hall and Tiare Ho-Ching finished with three hits apiece while Mejia and Allen each added two hits and four RBIs. ASU had seven extra-base hits with four doubles and three homers.
Julianne Tipton picked up the win in the circle after allowing no runs on one hit in 1.2 innings of relief.
Tanya Windle had two hits and two RBIs in the opener as ASU fell 4-3. The Sun Devils led 2-1 through three, but Iowa State used a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead. The Sun Devils got one back in the sixth and had two on in the seventh, but couldn't tie the game.
All seven hits by ASU in the game were singles, and they were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Kenzie Brown finished with 12 strikeouts in the circle for the Sun Devils.
Notable
ASU will close its series with Iowa State on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT / 11 a.m. AZT.
The Sun Devils scored multiple runs in all five innings of game two, including six in the first and five in the fifth to set a season-high for runs scored. Every starter had at least one hit and six Sun Devils recorded multiple hits.
Kelsey Hall opened the scoring with a 2-run single and then Samantha Swan added a 2-run double. Grace Molitor closed the first inning scoring spree with a 2-run homer to left.
It was 9-1 in the third when Ayden Allen singled to right to score a pair of runs. She then doubled home two more in the fourth to open the ASU lead to 13-4.
Takyla Davis homered to start the fifth-inning scoring. Hall then singled home a run before Ashleigh Mejia smacked a 3-run shot to right to provide the final runs of the game.
Hall and Tiare Ho-Ching finished with three hits apiece while Mejia and Allen each added two hits and four RBIs. ASU had seven extra-base hits with four doubles and three homers.
Julianne Tipton picked up the win in the circle after allowing no runs on one hit in 1.2 innings of relief.
Tanya Windle had two hits and two RBIs in the opener as ASU fell 4-3. The Sun Devils led 2-1 through three, but Iowa State used a run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take the lead. The Sun Devils got one back in the sixth and had two on in the seventh, but couldn't tie the game.
All seven hits by ASU in the game were singles, and they were 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Kenzie Brown finished with 12 strikeouts in the circle for the Sun Devils.
Notable
- The 18 runs are the most by ASU since scoring 21 against GCU on April 6, 2021
- It is also the most runs by a Big 12 team in a conference game this season
- ASU's 17 hits are the team's most since having 17 against UTEP on March 6, 2021
- ASU had four doubles in a game for the fourth time this season
- The Sun Devils hit multiple home runs in a game for just the second time in March
- Ho-Ching and Hall scored four runs apiece to become the first Sun Devils since 2021 to do so
- Allen and Mejia each set career highs with four RBIs
- Mejia's home run was her team-leading ninth of the season
- Molitor and Davis each homered for the first time since February 8
- Brown recorded her sixth double-digit strikeout performance on the season in game one
ASU will close its series with Iowa State on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT / 11 a.m. AZT.