Devils downed by Redhawks after numerous delays 

Arizona State Softball took the field on Saturday night looking to sweep the talented Miami (Ohio) Redhawks. 

But first, a long string of hold-ups headlined the third day of the Kajikawa Classic. The action got off to a slow start, with the first game between California and Utah running longer than expected.

That contest began what turned into a long day of delayed games. ASU’s 6 p.m. scheduled first pitch didn’t actually occur until 9:15 p.m., more than three hours past the original start time. 

Despite the late start, the atmosphere was exuberant at Farrington Stadium. Unfortunately for the home crowd, the Sun Devils (2-1) couldn’t capitalize on the crowd’s energy, ultimately falling to the Redhawks (1-3) by a final score of 12-4.

Out of the gate, ASU scored first with graduate senior outfielder Kelsey Hall’s double. Later, junior outfielder Tanya Windle scored on a double of her own. It ended up being the Sun Devils’ only lead of the night. 

Sophomore right-hander Meika Lauppe started for the Sun Devils and struggled. Lauppe allowed four runs across 2.0 innings pitched, including a two-RBI double from senior outfielder Shelby Kunkul.

Aided by sloppy ASU defense, the Redhawks tallied four runs in the third inning. The Sun Devils committed three official errors but missed chances to get out of the inning on several other plays.

The final blow came in the fourth inning. Miami put up six runs, including a three-run home run by Miami’s Shelby Kunkul after back-to-back singles by infielders junior Danitza Hernandez and sophomore Kaylee Oh.

The Sun Devil offense struggled against Redhawk starter Madilyn Reeves, scoring just four runs across seven innings. Reeves struck out four and walked just one Sun Devil. 

Nonetheless, the aforementioned Kunkul proved to be the star of the evening. The senior right fielder went 4-4 with six RBIs in five at-bats and provided stellar outfield defense. 

Out of the bullpen, freshman Juliane Tipton relieved Lauppe for ASU and only allowed one unearned run across an inning of work.

The wheels came off the Sun Devil bus when freshman right-handed pitcher Cambree Creager allowed six runs, five earned, in just 0.2 innings pitched. Creager also allowed a team high five hits. 

Perhaps the one bright spot for the Sun Devil’s pitching was senior left-hander Kenzie Brown. In 3.1 innings pitched, Brown allowed an earned run while striking out eight Redhawks. Her effort kept ASU in the game, but the offense could not crack Reeves.

The maroon and gold’s one shot of momentum came in the third inning. Replacing starting senior third baseman AJ Murphy, freshman infielder Takyla Davis hit a long two-run home run to cut the lead to 4-3. After that, the Sun Devil offense went dormant. 

A fourth inning homer from freshman infielder Grace Molitor finished the scoring ASU, as they fell 12-4 to Miami (OH). 

Instead of playing another game, ASU and Minnesota agreed to rule their 8:15 p.m. scheduled matchup a no-contest due to the delayed start.

The Sun Devils return to action on Sunday, taking on Cal at Farrington Stadium at 1:30 p.m. MST to wrap up the 20th Kajikawa Classic Tournament.