ASU Softball: Wildcats Run-Rule Devils in Series Finale
By Sam Ficarro
In the rubber game of a three-game series, ASU softball were run-ruled by Arizona 8-0 in 5 innings as Wildcats clubbed four home runs.
It was a rough Sunday evening in Tucson for ASU softball.
After splitting the first two games of the series, No. 3 Arizona unleashed its power supply securing an 8-0 run-rule victory over the 23rd-ranked Sun Devils.
The Wildcats broke the game open in the fourth inning versus freshman pitcher Giselle Juarez.
After Juarez relieved starter Breanna Macha in the third inning, the Wildcats batted around in the inning.
Juarez allowed two singles and a walk to open up the home-half of the fourth inning and was then relieved by pitcher Dale Ryndak.
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Ryndak struggled in her first appearance of the series having to come in with the bases loaded and 1 out.
Wildcats shortstop Mo Mercado was the first batter to face Ryndak and walked to drive in second baseman Reyna Carranco.
The big blow came next as Ryndak faced first baseman Jessie Harper.
After homering in the third inning off Macha, Harper hit a grand slam to left center for her second home run of the game giving Arizona a 7-0 lead.
Center fielder Alyssa Palomino followed Harper hitting a solo home run giving the Wildcats an 8-0 lead and eventually the victory as Arizona starter Danielle O’Toole sat the Sun Devils down in order in the fifth inning.
After a pair of solid pitching performances Friday and Saturday, ASU ran into a buzz saw in Arizona as the Wildcats finished with 8 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks.
Arizona State couldn’t get to O’Toole after having success Friday mustering only hit on a third-inning double by left fielder Nichole Chilson.
O’Toole finished with a five-inning complete game allowing just the 1 hit to go along with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.
Next: ASU Softball: Juarez, Home Runs Lift Devils Over Wildcats
Arizona State drops to 28-16 and 7-11 in Pac-12 play and will head home for their season-ending six-game home-stand beginning Friday with a three-game series versus California.