ASU Softball: Fall Ball Game Two

The Sun Devils played host to Pima Community College in their second game of fall scrimmages. This one was a cakewalk.

ASU would be the winners of two five-inning games, 20-0 and 8-0.

The offense was hot and would continue to get hotter for the Devils. They scored their most in the second inning putting up a 10-spot.

Tracking the performance of last years leaders, junior right fielder Kindra Hackbarth and senior center fielder Morgan Howe held the one and two spots in high praise. Both would hit deep home runs and both would find ways to get on base.

Sophomore shortstop Bella Loomis additionally provided with her bat at the bottom of the order. She drove in two runs as part of the 10-run inning.

On the pitching end, the only returning pitcher, junior Giselle ‘G’ Juarez led the way for the Devils in two separate appearances. She led off the first game and then came in relief in the second. She totaled five innings of shutout softball with a long list of strikeouts.

Presence was certainly felt from the newer faces on the team as well.

Starting at third base was Utah State transfer Kiara Kennedy. Kennedy is a local product of Desert Vista High School who will be in her sophomore season with the Devils.

She did not have at-bats until the second game, but she gave the highlight of the night with a laser grand slam over the centerfield fence.

Additionally, freshman Terra McGowan drove in two runs in the first game and showed her ability behind the plate for innings off and on.

The pitching performance was certainly the highlight. Three new staff faces assisted Juarez eating up the remaining five innings.

First new face was junior transfer from Long Beach State Cielo Meza. She put together two good innings of her own.

After Juarez’s second go, another local freshman toed the rubber. Hamilton graduate Abby Andersen spun the ball for two more innings. She worked several ground balls much like Breanna Macha did in her ASU tenure.

Closing out the night was freshman Mikayla Santa Cruz who pitched a clean final frame to close out a nearly three-hour event.

There’s a lot to be excited about for this year’s team based on this performance. The Devils’ next fall game will be Thursday October 25th. They will host Yavapai College. First pitch at 6 p.m.