Devils in Detail
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ASU Softball: Sun Devils win Marathon in Baton Rouge

By Hunter Robinson

Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU Softball advanced to the Baton Rouge Regional final after a 14-inning thriller over McNeese State. The Sun Devils won 3-2.

ASU was able to pull off the victory after an all-around team effort that culminated in senior outfielder Jennifer Soria drawing a walk with the bases loaded to bring home the winning run.

Soria was the player of the game as she also crushed the game-tying home run off of reliever Emily Vincent to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning, her first hit of the postseason.

Arizona State’s pitching was unusually strong with Kelsey Kessler getting the start for the third straight game.

Kessler pitched complete games in each of the two regional games including a one-hit shutout over LIU-Brooklyn earlier in the day.

Sophomore Dale Ryndak took over for Kessler in the top of the eighth inning after Kessler surrendered three straight hits and the go-ahead run.

Ryndak pitched with poise and was able to find her spots consistently as she picked up a crucial victory.

McNeese State started the game with junior Rachel Smith on the mound but pulled her after an early jam in favor of senior Emily Vincent in the top of the second inning.

Vincent had a good outing but wasn’t as effective against the Sun Devils as she was in their first matchup.  In 5.2 innings of relief, she gave up one run and four hits.

After the Sun Devils threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning, Vincent was pulled for senior Jamie Alfred.

With Alfred on the mound, ASU was unable to produce much offense but they capitalized on opportunities that allowed them to win the game.

The victory secures the Sun Devils a spot in the Baton Rouge Regional Final.

This game solidified that the Sun Devils are a much more dangerous team when they are getting it done in the circle.

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Kessler threw almost 200 pitches on the day which may be a concern to some with LSU on the horizon. However, Ryndak’s success as a reliever allows the managerial staff of Arizona State to now work with two effective pitchers rather than one.

This new-found confidence in their pitching staff couldn’t come at a better as the Sun Devils will need to win consecutive games in Baton Rouge to advance farther into the tournament.

 
ASU will face LSU Sunday at 2:00 p.m. EST, follow @Devils_Detail for complete coverage!

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