ASU Softball: Sun Devils Split Final Day of Mary Nutter Classic

Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky looks on against the California Golden Bears at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky looks on against the California Golden Bears at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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ASU softball concluded play in the Mary Nutter Classic by splitting Sunday’s game winning versus UC Santa Barbara and falling to No. 14 Michigan.

ASU softball wrapped its play in the Mary Nutter Classic with split of Sunday’s game.

The first game of the day was versus UC Santa Barbara and the Sun Devils run-ruled the Gauchos defeating UCSB 8-0 in 5 innings.

Arizona State scored 7 runs in the second inning off Gauchos pitchers Veronika Gulvin and Felisha Noriega

Right fielder Fa Leilua began the scoring hitting a 2-run home run to score shortstop Chelsea Gonzales.

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The Sun Devils added two more on an RBI single by Skylar McCarty and fielding error on UCSB scoring left fielder Nicole Chilson and catcher Sashel Palacios.

The inning would conclude after designated player Miranda Farricker hit a three-run home run scoring McCarty and third baseman Taylor Becerra.

Arizona State would tack on one more run in the third inning after Farricker reached on a fielder’s choice scoring second baseman Marisa Stankiewicz.

ASU went on to win the game in five innings thanks to a complete game effort by starting pitcher Alyssa Loza allowing only 3 hits and striking out 2 Gauchos.

The second game versus No. 14 Michigan proved to be a lot tougher as the Wolverines blanked the Sun Devils 3-0 behind a combined shutout from pitchers Tera Blanco and Megan Betsa.

Blanco started the game for Michigan throwing 6 shutout innings with 3 hits allowed, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts.

Betsa would come on to strike out the side in the seventh inning to secure her first save of the season.

After exploding for 9 runs in the first game, Arizona State struggled to get any offense with Farricker and Becerra each finishing with 1 single and Leilua finishing with a double.

Next: ASU Softball: Power Bats Lift Sun Devils to Win Over Texas

Arizona State now stands at 12-3 after going 3-2 in the Mary Nutter Classic. The Sun Devils are back in action beginning Thursday when they take part in the Judi Garman Classic.