ASU Softball: Meza and No. 15 Sun Devils shut out South Dakota

Cielo Meza dominated South Dakota (11-15) on Tuesday. The right-handed senior pitcher tossed her second seven-inning complete game shutout of the season against the Coyotes. Arizona State (22-7) rode six-strikeout performance to a 5-0 win.

Meza dealt with a scoring threat in one inning. South Dakota put together three soft singles to load the bases with one out. Coyote shortstop Lauren Eamiguel struck out and Meza induced second baseman Aleesia Sainz to fly out to right field to escape unscathed.

The Sun Devils four-run first inning displayed speed and power. Maddi Hackbarth sent out a two-run home run and her ninth this season. Alynah Torres followed her teammate with a solo shot to keep the tie between the two for the team-led in home runs

Kindra Hackbarth reached on a leadoff single, she stole her 10th base and made it to third on an error from the throw. She later scored on a Jazmine Hill single.

Following the first inning, Arizona State struggled to find the clutch hit to bring in runs. Aside from Kindra Hackbarth’s sixth-inning sacrifice fly, the Sun Devils continued to leave runners on base. After the first inning, eight runners were left on base for the Sun Devils.

The Sun Devils head to Los Angeles for their Pac-12 opening series against the top-ranked UCLA Bruins (25-1). All three games will be streamed, Friday’s 7:00 p.m. start on the UCLA live stream and Pac-12 Network will have the 12:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday games.