Devils in Detail
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ASU Softball: Sun Devils Get Swept in Tough Series at Washington

By Joseph Caulo

Sep 18, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky looks on during the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky looks on during the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 21 ASU softball struggled in their opening conference series versus Washington. Trisha Ford’s team was quiet offensively as they were swept by the No. 6 Huskies.

With a record of 19-5 entering conference play, ASU softball faced a tough road test at No. 6 Washington. Washington, now 23-3 following the sweep of ASU, quieted the normally loud Sun Devil bats.

After losing the first game 6-4, ASU failed to plate another run in the two games Sunday. Samantha Manti pitched a complete shutout in game two and pitched three scoreless innings in the series finale. Taran Alvelo came in for the Huskies in the Fourth inning and continued the shutdown of the Sun Devils’ offense. ASU could only muster seven hits combined in a 4-0 and 1-0 loss Sunday to close out the series in Seattle.

An 0-3 start to Pac-12 play is not what Coach Ford and her team had in mind, but they can take comfort in the impressive performances by junior Dale Ryndak (6-1) and freshman Giselle Juarez (9-7) in the circle. Ryndak’s only blemish of the day was a late game solo home run, and Juarez turned in a complete seven-inning performance in the 4-0 loss.

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Juarez had seven strikeouts and Ryndak only surrendered four hits. The pitching was there, and the defense had just one error. The series boiled down to the Sun Devil offense not being able to get enough people on base. Coach Ford’s philosophy preaches to getting runners on base and putting the pressure on the other team’s defense. The sixth-ranked Huskies made this very tough on the Sun Devils.

ASU (19-8) will travel back to Tempe for a Wednesday non-conference doubleheader versus New Mexico State (9-14). This will be an opportunity for the Sun Devil bats to come alive and capture some momentum heading into the Oregon State series next weekend.

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