ASU Softball: Mazon and Oregon State blank No. 10 Sun Devils in series opener

Beaver ace Mariah Mazon has had her share of success against Arizona State (31-13, 11-8 Pac-12) in the past. Her outing on Friday was the best yet. Mazon shut out the Sun Devil bats, holding them to only three hits in Oregon State’s (17-23, 4-15) 1-0 win.

Mazon limited the damage as well because all three hits were singles, with two of them coming from Maddi Hackbarth. However, the top of Arizona State’s lineup had a chance in the top of the seventh inning.

Kindra Hackbarth stepped up to the plate having runners at first and second with one out. Mazon started the at-bat throwing three straight balls. She worked it back to a full count before getting Hackbarth to hit a weak groundball to second base.

After the runners moved up, a base hit from Jazmine Hill would’ve probably given the Sun Devils a lead. Instead, Mazon completed her shutout performance, inducing a bouncer to the shortstop to end the game.

The lack of offense also spoiled a solid effort from Allison Royalty in the circle. Oregon State got an unearned run in the first inning following an error after Royalty hit a batter and walked another one.

She finished the contest going six innings, surrendering four hits and striking out a pair.

Mazon has now beat ASU in all three series openers (2018, 2019, 2021) she’s pitched in. On a more positive note, in 2019 Arizona State made the adjustments and forced her out of the circle in the second inning by scoring nine runs the second time around.

The Sun Devils will play at 1 p.m. MST on Saturday.