In its final regular-season game at home, Arizona State Softball could only muster up one run, falling to No. 2/5 Texas Tech 7-1 on Sunday at Alberta B. Farrington Stadium.
The Sun Devils have struggled recently in conference play, and, facing a juggernaut Red Raiders squad, even nabbing a single win across the entire weekend proved to be a difficult feat.
With ASU having its back against the wall, being down two games in the series, it looked to get back in the win column in front of a sold-out crowd.
“We have the best fans in the country and the best ballpark to play in,” Bartlett said.
To do so, ASU had to go through the Red Raiders’ ace: senior right-handed pitcher NiJaree Canady. She leads Texas Tech in almost every major stat category, from ERA to WHIP.
“NiJaree threw a beautiful game today,” ASU coach Megan Bartlett said. “She’s a fierce competitor. She’s running it in the 70s, great upball, great curveball.”
Canady ended the night with five innings pitched and four hits allowed, with no earned runs.
In the circle for ASU stood senior left-handed pitcher Aissa Silva. She has continued to impress all season since transferring from the University of Arizona.
Silva held the Red Raiders scoreless in the first inning. However, following the opening frame, the tides quickly shifted.
Texas Tech opened the scoring by snagging a free base on a walk, followed by a single to right and an RBI double, the first of the game, which was also followed up by an RBI fielder’s choice.
Still, Silva worked through some traffic to limit the damage to just two runs in the second inning.
On the other hand, ASU picked up its first and only run with the help of a few walks and a fielding error from sophomore shortstop Hailey Toney, to help the Sun Devils bring home their lone run.
Texas Tech’s offense continued to apply pressure on ASU for most of the remainder of the game, as it showcased its power, highlighted by a two-run home run from junior infielder Taylor Pannell in the third.
The other homer came from junior infielder Mia Williams, who blasted a solo shot in the sixth, capping off a night where she went three-for-four at the plate and picked up two RBIs.
ASU turned to junior right-handed pitcher Meika Lauppe to close out the game. But she couldn’t slow down the Red Raiders either, as Tech nabbed two more runs off Lauppe in the top of the seventh.
All in all, Texas Tech produced 10 hits, six more compared to ASU’s four, with the Sun Devils struggling to generate any offense against Canady.
“Consistency definitely continues to be a struggle,” Bartlett said.
With the end of the regular season rapidly approaching and the Big 12 tournament right around the corner, ASU will try to take it one game at a time as they suit up for their last regular-season series versus BYU. The series opener is on Thursday, April 30, with first pitch slated for 5 p.m. MST at Miller Park Complex.
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