This article was originally published on February 27, 2023.
Arizona State Softball (11-2 ) swept the Iowa State Cyclones in a three-game series at home this weekend, including both games of a doubleheader Saturday.
Game 1: Arizona State 2, Iowa State 1
In game one, junior Mac Osborne started on the mound and held Iowa State to one run in 4.2 innings pitched. Osborne struck out two and hit two batters.
“Mac has an elite spin rate and she bends the ball as well as anyone in Division 1 softball, people are going to get hit,” head coach Megan Bartlett said.
The offensive momentum from either team was slow to pick up until Pac-12 Player of the Week Jordyn Vanhook made contact with a pitch she liked and knocked it right out of the park putting Arizona State first on the board in the second inning.
“Our team chemistry right now and the atmosphere we have growing within this program is great and I’m super excited to see how it keeps exceeding throughout this season and for years to come,” Vanhook said.
The Cyclones responded quickly, taking advantage at the plate in the third inning. Freshman infielder Ashley Minor smacked a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the score at 1-1.
Sophomore Kenzie Brown replaced Osborne on the mound in the fifth and although Iowa dominated in base runners this game, they were unable to score.
Emily Cazares energized the Devils in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to put ASU ahead.
With the score now 2-1, Cyclone pitcher Jaiden Ralston struck out both outfielder Makenna Harper and Vanhook. Marissa Schuld took over to finish the game on the mound and held the Cyclones scoreless to secure a 2-1 win.
Game 2: Arizona State 9, Iowa State 4
In the last game of the series, junior outfielder Milaysia Ochoa launched a home run in the top of the second to put Iowa State ahead 1-0.
Kenzie Brown again took over the mound as she was used continuously all weekend. Tired, and in obvious pain in her pitching hand from a small injury, she persisted.
“For her to be able to push through is something we really admire and we always want to have her back”, Alexa Milius said.
With Yanni Acuna on second base for ASU in the bottom of the third, Makenna Harper successfully bunted for a single while Acuna sprinted around third to the plate to tie the score at 1-1.
Emily Cazares scored on an error and Harper came around to score on a single from Milius to give the Devils a 3-1 lead.
ASU added two more in the fourth when Emily Cazares tripled down the right field line sending Yaya Acuna and Kalyn McCarthy home to make it 5-1.
The versatility the Devils showed this weekend reassured Bartlett of her team.
“Competitive, athletic, dynamic athletes, women that empower other women, and feel comfortable to take risks and succeed. There will be no reward in life without it,” Bartlett said.
VanHook homered to left field once again in the fifth, making it her second of the day. The crowd roared as the Devils were up 6-2.
VanHook homered again in the sixth to make it 9-2, before Iowa State added two in the seventh to make the final score 9-4.
The excitement for Vanhook from coaches and teammates was apparent.
“I’ve never had any recognition like this before,” VanHook said on her Pac-12 Player of the Week award. “It’s honestly really different and cool. I know what I still need to work on”.
Next up, the Devils will be hosting the Sun Devil Classic, starting with the New Mexico Lobos on Friday, March 3, at 4 p.m. MST.
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