11-Run Fourth Inning Propels No. 9 Sun Devils to clinch series

TEMPE, Ariz.– Arizona State (34-7, 15-2) softball blew open their game Saturday night against Cal (26-22-1, 6-11) with a season-high scoring 13 runs, on-top of ten hits, three home runs and a grand slam in the fourth inning. 

This is the first time since March 16, 2019 that ASU has compiled double digit runs in a single inning (13 vs. Oregon State). It's the second game this season that the Sun Devils have hit three home runs in a single game and three home runs in an inning along with the sixth time there has been a grand slam in 2022.

Cyd Sanders continued her breakout season in Tempe by launching her team-leading 16th home run of the season. Sanders' home run puts her four away from tying the second best record for home runs in a single season (20). The true-freshman 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and a walk-off single to end the game.

Designated player Jazmyn Rollin hit the team's first grand slam since April 14th against Utah. It's the junior's 13th home run of the season. Junior shortstop Alynah Torres had her second career triple, going 2-for-3 and three RBIs on the night.

Freshman Mac Morgan made the start for the Sun Devils Saturday evening and pitched four innings, struck out two and earned her 15th win of the season. While Allison Royalty came in for relief in the 5th inning to striking out one. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Arizona State 13, Cal 5

• In the first two innings both programs were able to get choppers into the field, but were unable to get any true clean hits to get anyone on base in scoring position.
• The Bears would strike first after a misread by Yanni Acuña in right field caused a triple and one runner to come home. A groundout would allow a second run in; putting Cal up over ASU 2-0.
• Halle Harger gave the Sun Devils their first hit of the game in the bottom third, but while being thrown out at second, Bella Loomis got on base, then stole second followed by Alynah Torres to be walked with two outs but both were stranded to end the inning.
• To begin the Sun Devil frame in the fourth, Cydney Sanders rocketed a homer into right center that bounced around in the beach volleyball facility before finalizing a spot in the sand. Sanders' homer cut the Golden Bears lead to 2-1. Jazmine Hill followed with an infield chopper single to shortstop to put herself on base. Makenna Harper mustered a single into the gap just behind the second base dirt, advancing Hill to second. Halle Harger would draw the walk to get the bases loaded with one out on the board. Jessica Puk's patience at the plate would ultimately get her walked, scoring Hill to tie the game 2-2. Loomis would do the job with a single into center, driving two Sun Devils home for a 4-2 lead and Puk to third with one out. Alynah Torres kept the inning alive with a triple that dropped down the first base line that would extend ASU to 6-2. Sanders would make her second appearance of the inning, only to be walked to load the bases for Hill. Jazmyn Rollin found the sweet spot, nailing a grand slam directly into center field with just two outs. Harper kept the hitting train alive with a solo homer to left center which would extend the lead to 11-2.
• Allison Royalty would replace Morgan in the circle at the top of the fifth inning after two runners were already on base. The Bears would ultimately hit a three-run homer to left field to cut the Sun Devil lead to 11-5. 
• Royalty closed her inning out with a swinging strike out.
• The Sun Devils would respond in the bottom frame after a Torres single to add one more run. A single by Sanders scored Torres from third which ended the game in five innings, 13-5 the final score.

QUOTES
Head Coach Trisha Ford
On Team's Approach at the Plate
"I thought we did a heck of a job. Archer [Cal's starting pitcher], she throws pretty firm and I think it took us one time through the lineup but after that it was on. That's what's so deadly about us, once we go through one time through the lineup we get going and they did a  really good job of making it difficult for her.  They were patient and got pitches over the plate. We took our walks when we needed to  and we had big hits when we need a big hits. We just got to take it one pitch and one game at a time and hopefully come out tomorrow and have it in our favor."

Jazmyn Rollin
On getting the series win:
"Being at Farrington is an unbelievable feeling, our fans, our crowd, everyone who comes and supports, it makes a big difference when we're at home. Playing at Farrington, there's no better feeling."

On batting around in the 4th inning:
"Getting good pitches, our coaches are harping on us because we're hopping around balls and some of them aren't even stikes, so that inning we went in there and hunting strikes, and slap it into the air." 

On staying patient:
"Yes, when your in the box and you start hitting well, your eyes start getting really big and everything looks like a strike, you have to hit good pitches witha  good swing to get a good result." 

On the first three innings:
"She was honestly making good pitches and making us attack them, I think later on in the game we decided to wait because she's gonna bring one over the plate, every pitcher does. We're waiting and getting a hitter's pitch and she did a great job of commanding the zone and making us chase after a ball that she wanted us to hit. Later in the game we got better and harder hitting balls that we wanted to hit." 

Mac Morgan
On what she did during the long offensive inning:
"There's a clear strategy. Physically, it's keeping your arm loose and going through a couple of pitches in the bullpen. Mentally, you just have to stay focused when you offense is out for long. But it's very helpful for them to score scores and support me."

On her performance today:
"I definitely could have improved, this was definitely not my best game. I feel like I have a lot of more growth to do and I'm ready to bring it out the rest of the season.

On pitching under Coach Ford:
"Coach Ford has helped me a lot from helping me with my release point to everything mechanical, mental and physical. She's there for you as a person and as a coach and she gives very good advice on how to fix things.

STRAIGHT FACTS

• In the last 12 games at Farrington against Cal, the Sun Devils are 9-3 and have outscored the Golden Bears 90-49.
• Historically, Arizona State is 62-69 against California but have won seven straight series against California.
• Five Sun Devils have 10 or more home runs on the season. (Yanni Acuña, Jazmine Hill, Alynah Torres, Jazmyn Rollin and Cydney Sanders)
• Sun Devil Softball is 27-0 when scoring more than six runs this season.
• ASU is 4th in the nation in home runs per game with an average of 1.97 per game.
• The Sun Devils are 4th in the nation in team on-base percentage (.434) and 3rd in team slugging percentage (.643).
• ASU is 1st in the Pac-12 in bat- ting average, slugging percent- age, on base percentage, total bases and home runs.
• The Sun Devils are 5th in the country in team batting average.
• Yanni Acuña's batting average ranks 7th overall in the country.
• Acuña and Sanders are 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the Pac-12 in batting average. They are also 1st and 2nd, respectively, in on-base percentage in the Pac-12.
• True freshman Cydney Sanders leads the Sun Devils with 15 home runs. She also leads the team with 48 RBIs.
• In the circle, Lindsay Lopez leads the Sun Devils with a 1.38 ERA.
• Yanni Acuña and Cydney Sanders to USA Softball's Top 25 Finalist List for the 2022 College Player of the Year.
• ASU has hit at least one home run in a game 27 times this season.

 
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Friday 4/29 6:00 p.m. MST    ASU 10, Cal 3
Game 2: Saturday 4/30 6:00 p.m. MST    ASU 13, Cal 5
Game 3: Sunday 5/1 12:00 p.m. MST  Live Stats | Pac-12 Network
 
RANKINGS
USA Softball/ESPN.com - 9
NFCA/USA Today -  14
Softball America -  11
D1 Softball -  12