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Softball wins first Pac-10 series

Making a Statement: ASU junior outfielder Kayla Ketchum rounds the bases against UC Santa Barbara on March 27. The Sun Devils started off strong in Pac-10 play, winning two of three games against Cal over the weekend. (Photo by Michael Arellano)
Making a Statement: ASU junior outfielder Kayla Ketchum rounds the bases against UC Santa Barbara on March 27. The Sun Devils started off strong in Pac-10 play, winning two of three games against Cal over the weekend. (Photo by Michael Arellano)

After a stellar performance during the nonconference season, the ASU softball team was determined to carry that success into Pac-10 play.

The No. 4 Sun Devils (35-3, 2-1 Pac-10) did just that by claiming two out of three to win the opening series against conference rival Cal.

ASU snapped a three-game losing streak against the No. 8 Golden Bears (22-7, 1-2) with Friday’s 3-1 win. In game two, the Sun Devils continued the clutch hitting en route to a 7-2 victory. Then Sunday’s series finale saw ASU struggle in the later innings as Cal walked off with a 3-2 win.

For the Sun Devils, it was just the kind of start they were looking for.

“I think we definitely made a statement saying that we are here to play and compete in the Pac-10,” junior right fielder Annie Lockwood said. “It would have been great to take three. The team played well, but we just made a few key mistakes that cost us the game.”

In Friday’s Pac-10 opener, it was a pitcher’s duel from the start as freshman Dallas Escobedo took to the circle against Cal freshman Arianna Erceg.

The Golden Bears struck first in the third inning after junior infielder Jace Williams smacked a single to left to score freshman infielder Ashley Decker and inch Cal in front, 1-0.

In the top of the sixth, ASU junior left fielder Talor Haro provided the game-tying hit with her RBI single to center.

Later in the inning, junior shortstop Katelyn Boyd hit a sharp groundball to Cal shortstop Britt Vonk who then unleashed a wild throw to first base.

Both Sun Devil base runners would come around to score and give ASU the 3-1 lead.

That’s all Escobedo would need as she cruised through the sixth and seventh innings. Escobedo allowed only one run on five hits through those seven innings, with 10 strikeouts to earn her 16th win of the season.

“I felt really good,” Escobedo said. “I was excited. I knew that we’d been playing really well. I just felt really confident in my team, and what we’ve been doing.”

In the second game of the series on Saturday, it was more dominant pitching out of Escobedo, who allowed only two runs over seven innings while striking out seven.

After a two run fourth inning, Lockwood added to the lead when she unloaded on a three-run home run to center.

Then Lockwood would launch her second long ball of the game in the seventh inning to give ASU a comfortable 7-2 lead.

“That last at-bat I swung at the first pitch, and just drove it over the center field wall,” Lockwood said. “I stayed with the same approach of staying above and driving through it. It turned out to be pretty good.”

In the series finale, it was freshman Mackenzie Popescue’s turn to make her Pac-10 pitching debut.

ASU would jump out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI single from Haro, and a home run from sophomore second baseman Sam Parlich.

Cal would strike back in the bottom of the fifth when junior outfielder Elia Reid launched a solo homer to cut the ASU lead to one. Later in the inning, junior outfielder Frani Echavarria’s single to center tied the game at 2-2.

Escobedo would come on in relief of Popescue and retire sophomore catcher Lindsey Ziegenhirt on a fly out to end the rally.

But then Escobedo ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two out, Cal’s Jordan Wallace drew the walk to force in the go-ahead run and seal the walk-off win.

The Sun Devils return to Pac-10 action when they travel to Eugene, Ore. to take on the Ducks in a three game set that kicks off on Friday.

Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu


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