ASU Softball: Day One of Judi Garman Classic Recap
The ASU softball team split their first day of the Judi Garman Classic, falling to No. 14 Michigan 2-0 but beating the host school, Cal State Fullerton, 10-1.
The day for the ASU softball can best be described as Jekyll and Hyde, as the team wasn’t able to do anything against Michigan in a tight game but was able to do anything they wanted against the Titans.
In their game against Michigan, the normally lethal bats of Arizona State weren’t connecting as Michigan’s Megan Betsa pitched an absolute gem.
In her complete game, Betsa only allowed two hits and one walk as she struck out 16 ASU batters. Betsa’s incredible game overshadowed an amazing game from freshman Arizona State pitcher, Giselle Juarez.
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Juarez was tasked with going toe-to-toe with Betsa and she nearly did. She also pitched a complete game, but surrendered five hits and only struck out seven. If Betsa would have faltered even a little, Juarez could have this game in her win column.
While the first game wasn’t normal Sun Devils softball, the second game was. Arizona State was able to pound 10 runs off of Cal State Fullerton while only surrendering one.
Breanna Macha started in the pitching circle for ASU as she pitched six innings before Dale Ryndak came in to close the game out. In Macha’s time in the circle, she only allowed two hits. Macha, known as a ground-ball pitcher, forced nine ground outs, two fly outs, and three strike outs. Ryndak followed up that performance by striking out two of the final three batters to close out the game.
Contrary to the first game, the Sun Devil bats were in full swing as 18 batters made it on base against the Titans pitching staff. Chelsea Gonzales led the way for ASU as she went two-for-three, drove in three runs, and got her second home run of the season.
Next: Episode Five of Devils in Detail Live
Next up for ASU, the Sun Devils will face No. 22 Baylor. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. MST and can be streamed through FloSoftball for a fee.