ASU Softball: Devils Head South to Begin Series at Arizona

After dropping two of three games versus No. 10 Utah last weekend, ASU softball wraps up their road slate with a three-game series at No. 3 Arizona.

ASU softball continues Pac-12 play Friday in Tucson opening a three-game series versus No. 3 Arizona.

The 23rd-ranked Sun Devils are coming off dropping two of three games versus the 10th-ranked Utes in what was a hotly contested series with each game decided by one run.

To the eyes of many people, playing three 1-run games versus a Top-10 opponent would be highly impressive, but Arizona State was likely disappointed they didn’t get at least a series win.

After winning the first game of the series 9-8 on a walk-off home run by designated player Emma Ramelot, ASU blew the save in the seventh inning in game two of the series as Utah scored four in the final frame to secure a 7-6 win.

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Game three of the series also went down to the very end with Utah getting a run in the seventh inning and ASU stranding the tying run on third base losing 2-1.

Now ASU looks to regroup heading into a Territorial Cup series with the third-ranked Wildcats.

Arizona (45-4, 15-3) is coming off take two of three games from the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks.

The Wildcats won the first game of the series 2-0 thanks to a complete game shutout from star ace Danielle O’Toole.

O’Toole threw a complete game shutout allowing 5 hits along with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.

Arizona went on to win the second game of the series 10-7 behind the bat of third baseman Katiyana Mauga, who hit 3-of-4 driving in three runs.

Oregon snagged the final game of the series 4-3 with Oregon hitting two solo home runs in the sixth inning off O’Toole to complete the comeback win.

Expect to see a lot of O’Toole and Taylor McQuillin in the pitching circle for Arizona with both sporting ERAs under 2.00.

O’Toole is 24-3 this season with a 0.93 ERA while McQuillin is 15-1 with a 1.52 ERA.

The Wildcats also have a dangerous batting lineup led by Mauga who’s batting .361 with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs.

This will be a challenging series for Arizona State and will need strong pitching beginning with Dale Ryndak, who will likely get the start Friday.

Next: ASU Softball: Team Doesn’t Move in Latest Poll

Arizona State will look to get production from everybody in the lineup as the Sun Devils seek to win the series versus Arizona after dropping two of three games last season. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m. PST and can be seen on Pac-12 Network.

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