ASU Softball: Juarez, Home Runs Lift Devils Over Wildcats
By Sam Ficarro
After falling to No. 3 Arizona 4-3 Friday, ASU softball bounced back with a 5-2 win thanks to a quality start from Giselle Juarez and two home runs.
ASU softball eyed to tie the series at one game a piece after falling to rival Arizona Friday 4-3.
The Sun Devils, facing Arizona’s No. 2 pitcher Taylor McQuillin, were able to get timely hitting to secure a 5-2 win.
The biggest play of the game came in the fourth inning with Arizona State leading 1-0 as left fielder Nichole Chilson hit a line drive off the top of the wall in the right field scoring two runs.
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On the relay throw to third base, the throw got by Wildcats third baseman Katiyana Mauga allowing Chilson to come all the way home making it 4-0 Sun Devils.
That would prove to be enough as Arizona State defeated the third-ranked Wildcats 5-2.
McQuillin finished throwing a complete game allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits with 3 walks and 11 strikeouts.
On the other side, ASU freshman pitcher Giselle Juarez pitched superbly in her first Territorial Cup start throwing a complete game allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits with a walks and 7 strikeouts.
The only mistake Juarez made all night was allowing a 2-run home run to Arizona’s best player, Mauga.
It was an impressive performance keeping Arizona’s powerful lineup in check as she settled down after hitting the game’s second batter and stranding two in the opening inning.
Arizona State took the lead in the second inning on a solo home run by right fielder Fa Leilua and ASU added an insurance run in the sixth inning on a solo home run by second baseman Marisa Stankiewicz.
Next: ASU Softball: Wildcats Win See-Saw First Game of Series
The Sun Devils evened the series heading into the rubber game Sunday as Dale Ryndak will likely face off against Arizona ace Danielle O’Toole, who picked up the win Friday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. PST and can be seen on Pac-12 Network.