TEMPE – Nearing a year to the date of an 11-strikeout outing against Texas Tech in 2025, Kenzie Brown, again, fanned double-digit Red Raiders, but it wasn’t enough as No. 2/5 Texas Tech held off the No. 24/RV Sun Devils, 6-0, to begin the weekend’s three-game Big 12 Conference series.
Brown (12-6) stood toe-to-toe with Texas Tech’s Kaitlyn Terry (19-1) for the game’s first three innings as the Sun Devil senior right-hander worked around leadoff baserunners in each of the first three innings: a swinging strikeout of Mia Williams combined with Samantha Swan throwing out Terry at second ended the first, before Desirae Spearman flew out to centerfield and Terry struck out looking to end the second and third innings, respectively.
Brown’s night took a turn, however, after surrendering a two-out baserunner that led to a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the fourth. Brown did, though, bounce back with a three-strikeout top of the third by getting Mihyia Davis, Terry and Williams all swinging.
But a second two-out home run – this time by Spearman after allowing a bloop double on the right field line – doubled the Red Raider lead despite Brown striking out the first two batters to begin the sixth. Brown, who had 11 strikeouts in a 2025 matchup against TTU, capped the frame by striking out NiJaree Canady to push her strikeout total to 10, becoming the second Sun Devil – Katie Burkhart (16 in 2007, 12 in 2008) – with two 10-strikeout performances against Texas Tech.
FROM HEAD COACH MEGAN BARTLETT
“I thought everyone saw two really plus (pitching) arms go at it tonight. (Texas Tech’s) Kaitlyn Terry had a great night. I thought Kenzie (Brown) had a really good night, too. (Texas Tech’s Taylor) Pannell got through a change-up and certainly earned that one; that’s what All-Americans do, they capitalize on one missed location and send a ball out of the park. But we have to find a way to make better adjustments (at the plate). Kaitlyn Terry is a very good pitcher. (Samantha Swan) had a nice night. (Emily) Schepp had a nice night. I thought we barreled some pitches right at people, but welcome to softball, you’re going to have nights like that. I just hate it was on a Friday night, when Kenzie was throwing so well. Those are two very good ball clubs and I think it was a closer game than what the final score ended up being.”
GAME NOTES
- Friday night marked the sixth time this season that Kenzie Brown struck out 10-or-more batters in Big 12 play.
- Texas Tech became the fifth different conference foes (14 – Oklahoma State, 10 – Arizona, 13 – UCF, 12 – UCF and 12 – Houston) this season that Brown has struck out 10-or-more opposing batters.
- Emily Schepp’s two-out double to left field during the bottom of the fourth marked Schepp’s 12th double this season and 20th for her career.
UP NEXT
Arizona State (35-14, 8-11) will look to bounce back from Friday night’s result on Saturday, April 25, when the Sun Devils and Red Raiders (45-4, 17-2) take the field at Farrington Stadium for a 2 p.m. MST first pitch on ESPN2.
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