In the series opener on Friday night, the Utah Utes blew out Arizona State softball 9-3 behind two big innings from Utah bats.
The Sun Devils started off the game strong as graduate student center fielder Kelsey Hall drilled a triple into the right-center field gap. On the very next pitch senior third baseman Kayla Lissy popped a single into right that scored Hall giving the Sun Devils an early 1-0 in the bottom of the first.
To lead off the third inning, graduate student shortstop Alesia Denby ripped a double over the right fielder’s head. Graduate student first baseman Audrey LeClair followed it up by drawing a walk and swiping second base.
With two runners in scoring position and no outs, the Utes senior pitcher, Mariah Lopez, sat down the next two Sun Devil batters. Then the Sun Devils’ senior catcher Sara Kinch drew a walk to load the bases.
Now with the bases loaded and two outs Sun Devils sophomore right fielder Tanya Windle, who led the team in hits heading into the night stood at the plate. Windle made solid contact but the Utes infield knocked it down and got out of the jam.
In the circle, senior pitcher Deborah Jones got the start and was lights out through the first three innings. Jones allowed just one hit and struck out two Utes batters in the first three innings.
In the top of the fourth inning, Jones continued to pitch strong as she sat down the first two Utes batters she saw. Jones then allowed the next three batters to get on base which loaded the bases for Utah’s senior second baseman Aliya Belarde.
On the 2-1 pitch Belarde launched a rocket over the center field wall for a grand slam giving Utah a 4-1.
In the next inning, the Utes kept their bats hot. After a one-out single, the Utes hit three straight extra-base hits extending their lead to 7-1.
The Sun Devils started the bottom half of the fifth with a missile over the center field wall from Alesia Denby cutting the lead to 7-2. It was Denby’s 8th home run of the season which leads the team.
Audrey LeClarir followed up the homer by getting on base with a walk and stealing second base again. Utah’s Mariah Lopez then quickly shut down any momentum the Sun Devils were building by sitting down the next three batters in order.
A scoreless sixth inning kept the score at 7-2 heading into the seventh.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Utes offense was not slowing down. After two hits and a walk, the bases were loaded for Aliya Belarde again. This time Belarde knocked a single into right which scored two insurance runs for the Utes giving them a 9-2 lead.
The bottom half of the seventh brought some craziness. Graduate student utility player Marissa Schuld led off by getting on base with a walk. Schuld then attempted to swipe second base which seemed successful, but after a replay review, it was determined Schuld left early and was recorded out.
With two outs on the board and the hope of a comeback quickly closing Audrey LeClair worked a walk and Kelsey Hall shot a single up the middle. Kayla Lissy then stepped to the plate and ripped a ball into right which dropped down for a single.
LeClair scored and Hall tried to tally behind but was thrown out before scoring which ended the game. The Utes held on to win 9-3.
Even in a loss, it was still a special night at Farrington Stadium. On Friday the Sun Devils honored those who have beaten ovarian cancer by having a few individuals throw out the first pitch. The players and a lot of fans also showed their awareness by wearing the color teal.
Friday night was just the beginning of the “Strike-out Cancer” Weekend at Farrington Stadium. On Saturday, the Sun Devils will wear pink in awareness of breast cancer, and on Sunday they will wear gold for pediatric cancer.
Win or lose it is a great weekend to be at Farrington Stadium. The first pitch Saturday will be at 6 p.m. and on Sunday it will be at noon.
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