Sun Devil Softball Handles Business in Fall Ball Opener

TEMPE – It may just be Fall Ball, but ASU’s incoming duo of heralded freshmen pitchers were exceptional against Phoenix College on Thursday in Tempe as the Sun Devil softball team took down the Bears, 15-2.

Breanna Macha and Dale Ryndak combined to pitch seven innings of one-hit softball, striking out eight along the way while not giving up any walks, runs or hit-by-pitches.

For a Sun Devil roster looking to replace the likes of three-time All-American Dallas Escobedo and All-Pac-12 standout Mackenzie Popescue in the circle, it was as good a start as you could expect from two youngsters making their first appearance under the lights at Farrington Stadium.

Macha earned the start, pitching four innings and giving up a hit along with five strikeouts while Ryndak pitched three innings with three strikeouts.

And while the pitchers put the zeros on the scoreboard, the ASU offense did just the opposite in scoring in each of the first seven innings of the game to take a commanding lead early and never looked back.

Sophomore Chelsea Gonzalez finished with four hits on four at bats, logging a run and an RBI in the process while making several highlight reel plays at the shortstop position - one where ASU will be tasked with replacing the likes of 2013 All-American Cheyenne Coyle. Haley Steele picked up where she left off last season, going 4-for-5 with two runs and a double.

It was the ASU newcomers that truly impressed, however, and maybe none more so than Dani Nelson.  The freshman out of Gilbert High School turned her first at-bat in a Sun Devil uniform into an off-the-wall triple in left field and finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBI.

Fellow freshman Brynley Steele also went 2-for-3 in the game with a run and an RBI and Nichole Chilson finished 1-for-2 with an RBI double.

In the circle, Alexis Cooper also saw action, pitching two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

The Sun Devils will return to action at Farrington Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 15 against Scottsdale Community College at 6 p.m. Admission to all Fall softball games is free of charge.