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Softball Falls to Reigning Champs

by thesundevils.com
Mar 21, 2021

LOS ANGELES -- Seven underclassmen made appearances in No. 11 Sun Devil Softball's final game at No. 2 UCLA on Sunday afternoon. The young team gained experience but suffered a loss on the road against the reigning national champions to close out ASU's first Pac-12 series. 

The sophomore and freshman classes saw big playing time against the Bruins. Sophomore Lindsay Lopez pitched for 3.1 innings, issuing four strikeouts and only two walks. Her classmate, Macy Simmons, took over in the two spot when fifth-year Maddi Hackbarth left the game due to injury. Freshman Emily Cazares made only her second collegiate appearance yet, debuting in centerfield, and sophomore Jordyn VanHook played at first base for the second consecutive day. 

UP NEXT: The Sun Devils (17-6) return to Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium this Friday, March 26-Sunday, March 28 as host to the No. 6 Washington Huskies. The pair will play a four-game series, with the doubleheader's second game counting toward the non-conference record. All games will be available to stream on the Pac-12 ASU Live Stream.

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Allison Royalty made her seventh collegiate start on Sunday afternoon. The freshman saw a slow start and ran into some trouble that loaded the bases. Lindsay Lopez entered as a relief with two outs, but the Bruins landed on the board first with a grand slam. Lopez forced a ground out in the next at-bat to close out the inning and stop the UCLA offensive push. 
  • With two outs in the second, junior Makenna Harper was the first Sun Devil to get on base with a single to right field but ASU finished the inning with Harper stranded. 
  • A foul tip to catcher Maddi Hackbarth's knee took her out of the game and brought sophomore Macy Simmons in for her Pac-12 catching debut. 
  • Freshman Emily Cazares made her Pac-12 debut in the bottom of the third as a defensive change in centerfield for Kindra Hackbarth. 
  • Halle Harger flashed the leather in the bottom of the fourth inning with a diving catch behind second base.

 

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