ASU Softball: Sun Devils Sweep Portland State to Stay Perfect On Season

The “roller coaster” 4-game series started on Friday when Lucy Albrecht ended a 12-inning marathon with a walk-off single for a 6-5 win. Pitcher Dallas Escobedo went the distance, striking out 19 Vikings on 210 pitches, en route to her ninth win of the season.

Saturday’s doubleheader saw the Lady Devils score a combined 28 runs as ASU “run-ruled” Portland State in both games (19-2, 9-0). Mackenzie Popescue earned wins in both games, striking out a combined five batters, to move to 6-0 on the year. The team batted around three times in game one as Sam Parlich lead the way, going 3-3 with 4 RBIs.

Cheyenne Coyle set the tone in game two, homering in the 1st inning. Coyle, Albrecht and Amber Freeman each had two RBIs as ASU plated six runs in the second for the 2-game sweep.

Sunday brought more drama as the Lady Devils rallied to score three runs in the final frame for a 4-3 win. Dallas Escobedo struck out nine in 5.2 innings, before giving way to Popescue, who went the rest of the way to earn her third win of the series. Sam Parlich led the way once again with two home runs, giving her eight RBIs for the weekend. Freshman pinch-hitter Jennifer Soria played the hero, singling home Cheyenne Coyle in the bottom of the 7th to keep ASU perfect on the season.

The Maroon and Gold’s 16-0 record is their best under coach Clint Myers since 2006. ASU will next face North Dakota Thursday in Tempe before hosting the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational next weekend.