On Tuesday night, the blazing-hot Arizona State Sun Devils saw their newfound freight train of momentum come to a screeching halt, suffering a 4-0 loss to crosstown rival No. 25 Grand Canyon.
ASU (31-15, 11-7 Big 12) entered the contest on a six-game winning streak, as the Sun Devils had won seven out of their last eight. Over this period, the Maroon and Gold averaged five runs per game. However, on Tuesday night, their bats went silent.
“There were little battles we won here and there but it was not enough,” head coach Megan Bartlett said.
Over in the visitors dugout, the Antelopes (34-6, 12-2 WAC) stormed into Tempe on a tear, riding a 10-game winning streak. They carried this momentum into Tuesday night, as they delivered another dominant effort in the circle.
Freshman left-handed pitcher Oakley Vickers opened the game by retiring ASU in order in the first inning.
In the top of the second, the Lopes got on the board first by way of an RBI double from freshman first basemen Jada Cooper. She delivered again for the Lopes in the top of the fifth when she sent a ball into orbit over the left field wall for a two-run blast.
With an early cushion, the Lopes pitching handled the rest. After a quick second inning of work for Vickers, junior right-handed pitcher Taryn Batterton took over in the circle.
Batterton’s first inning of relief gave the Sun Devils a glimpse of hope. A couple of hits and a walk loaded the bases for graduate student designated player Kelsey Hall.
But with the bases loaded, the Lopes ace sat down Hall and settled in. Batterton retired the next eight Sun Devils batters in order.
In the bottom of the seventh, senior right-handed pitcher Meghan Golden entered the game with GCU in a jam. With the Devils starting to threaten, she managed to record the final out and slam the door on an ASU comeback.
For the second time this season, GCU held the Sun Devils’ lineup scoreless. In the two-game season series, the Lopes’ pitching staff allowed just 12 hits and struck out five ASU hitters.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Meika Laupee anchored the circle for Arizona State in a bend-but-don’t-break performance.
“She got out of a lot of tough spots and gave us her best,” Bartlett said. “That is why we love Meika.”
While Laupee surrendered 12 hits, she stranded seven base runners in scoring position. With timely command and a strong defense behind her, Lauppe limited GCU to just four runs.
The Sun Devils flashed the leather early with a slick 4-6-3 double play.
OK @tiarehoching 👀
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) April 16, 2025
What a way to turn the double play 😈 pic.twitter.com/OpYCCH6ct6
As the season has progressed, senior shortstop AJ Murphy and freshman second basemen Tiare Ho-Ching have developed into a dynamic duo up the middle.
Murphy said despite being a freshman, Ho-Ching plays like a veteran and is one of the smartest players she has shared a field with.
“We have become so confident with each other and it is so much fun to play with her,” Murphy said. “She is special.”
Ho-Ching also extended her hitting streak to six games. She is batting over .400 in April and has recorded a hit in 14 of her last 15 outings.
Meanwhile, her keystone running mate in Murphy also tallied her sixth multi-hit game of the year.
The Sun Devils must now quickly reset with a pivotal series looming on the horizon against a veteran Baylor Bears (21-21, 7-8 Big 12) squad beginning Thursday.
Currently sitting in third place in the Big 12 standings, the Devils possess a chance to climb the standings over the weekend.
“I’ve said this many times, our kids did not come here to play and have fun, those kids came here to chase Oklahoma City,” Bartlett said.
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