# #

Long Ball Pushes #12 Softball to Nine Innings vs. #8 Oregon

by thesundevils.com
Apr 30, 2021

TEMPE, Ariz. -- No. 12 Sun Devil Softball dropped the series opener against No. 8 Oregon (31-10, 9-7) in nine innings, despite three home runs from the Sun Devils (28-12, 9-7) in the fourth inning to battle back from a 4-0 deficit.

After a slow start, ASU ignited the offense to claim the lead, but the Ducks managed to get the tying run on the board in the sixth. In extras, Oregon was able to tack on a run in the ninth off of an error, and ASU battled, but just could not capitalize. The Ducks took the first game, 6-5.  
 

"I think obviously, we started off really slow and I think the first three innings were pretty rough both offensively, defensively, and all on facets," said head coach Trisha Ford on her team's slow offensive start.

A fourth inning spark showed promise for the Sun Devils, but they just couldn't get that final run across the plate.

"I commend us for getting back into that game, we showed a lot of fight," Ford continued. "We had our opportunities with our big dogs to win us a ballgame and we just didn't execute tonight."

Up Next: ASU will face Oregon in a doubleheader tomorrow at 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. MST at Farrington. Both games will be streamed via Pac-12 Network.

ASU 5, OREGON 6
HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • Oregon was able to get on the board first after picking up two runs in each of the first two innings and led 4-0. 
  • Sun Devils had two on with one out in the home half of the third, but stranded both runners.
  • Royalty Kept Oregon scoreless in the third and fourth inning, and Maddi Hackbarth got the Sun Devils on the Board with a solo shot to leadoff the bottom of the fourth. ASU had the tying run at the plate, and Makenna Harper launched a three run home run to deep center field tying the game at 4-4. Denae Chatman follows with a solo shot to put the Sun Devils up 5-4.
  • The Ducks tied it at five in the sixth off of an RBI single. 
  • Bella Loomis had a stand-up double to put the winning run in scoring position in the seventh, but failed to bring her home. 
  • In the eighth, Oregon got a runner on, but stranded her. M. Hackbarth walked to leadoff the eighth, but  ASU could not capitalize.
  • The Ducks picked up a run in the top of the ninth, and ASU had the winning run at the plate, but were unable to get a run across in the ninth.

Related News & Videos