ASU Softball: Utah Claims Series on 7th-Inning Home Run

After blowing the save Saturday, ASU softball couldn’t keep the game tied in the seventh inning as Utah hit a solo home run to pick up a 2-1 victory.

ASU softball has fought the No. 10 team in the country hard all weekend.

Coming into this weekend, Arizona State was 0-6 versus ranked Pac-12 teams but that was snapped Friday with ASU’s 9-8 walk-off win over the 10th-ranked Utes.

After blowing a seventh-inning lead Saturday, Arizona State turned to freshman pitcher Alyssa Loza with the series win on the line.

With the game tied at one, Utah first baseman Bridget Castro hit a solo home run to left field to deliver the knockout blow.

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After left fielder Nichole Chilson began the home-half of the inning just missing a home run to right field having to settle for a double, the Sun Devils couldn’t drive her home as she was left stranded at third base.

Utah defeated Arizona State 2-1 winning the series by the same margin and with each game of this series decided by only 1 run.

This series had been dominated by both high-powered offenses, but it was the pitching that decided game three of this series.

Loza was superb throwing a complete game allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits along with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

For Utah, starting pitcher Katie Donovan and reliever Miranda Viramontes held the ASU lineup in check combining to allow only 1 earned run on 4 hits with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts.

After the three scoreless innings, Utah broke the deadlock in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout by third baseman Heather Bowen.

Sun Devils would respond in the fifth inning tying the game on an RBI single by third baseman Taylor Becerra.

That was all Arizona State was able to muster versus the Utes pitching staff.

Next: ASU Softball: 4-run 7th for Utah Utes Sink Sun Devils

Arizona State will look to build off some positives as ASU will play their final road series of the regular season at Arizona beginning Friday.

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