ASU Softball: No. 10 Sun Devils drop second series of the season following Hammoude’s walk-off

Many at Kelly Field didn’t know if the ball was fair or foul, or if it was going to get over the wall. Even as Frankie Hammoude rounded first base, she didn’t know if it was fair. But as she started leaping for joy, Arizona State (32-14, 12-9 Pac-12) headed toward the dugout.

The three-run walk-off homer secured a 5-3 win for Oregon State (18-24, 5-16) and handed the Sun Devils only their second series loss of the season.

Oregon State battled back both in the sixth and seventh inning. Arizona State clung onto a two-run lead for most of the contest, much in part to Allison Royalty’s effort in the circle. Through five innings, the Beavers had three hits and no runs.

That quickly changed in the sixth inning, though. Hammoude, who went 3-for-4, lifted an RBI-single over the leaping Alynah Torres at shortstop to bring in Oregon State’s first run. Bailey McLaughlin hit a game-tying sacrifice-fly.

It appeared that Arizona State got its response back in the top of the seventh. Yanni Acuña blasted her sixth home run of the season to give ASU back the lead. Acuña and Savannah Price were the lone Sun Devils to have multi-hit games.

The Sun Devil bats struggled again. Arizona State left 10 runners on base and were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

The sixth inning truly was the momentum swinger. Not only did Oregon State get the bats going, but Mariah Mazon escaped a jam.

After Price double and Bella Loomis walked, the top of the order failed to do anything. Kindra Hackbarth popped up a bunt, failing to advance the runners. Then Jazmine Hill and Maddi Hackbarth flew and popped out to end the inning.

ASU currently has no other regular season games remaining with an open weekend next weekend. The softball selection show will be on May 16 to find out if the Sun Devils will host a regional.