ASU Softball: Sun Devils open Littlewood Classic with win
By Carson Field
Following a successful weekend in the Kajikawa Classic, ASU softball advanced to 6-1 on the year with an 8-0 win over North Dakota.
After a winning five games in last weekend’s Kajikawa Classic, ASU softball is now 6-1 following an 8-0 win against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
While she was pleased with the way her team played, ASU head coach Trisha Ford said the batting got off to a slow start.
“Wins are great,” Ford said. “It obviously sets the tone for this weekend. To be honest with you, we needed to have better at-bats earlier on.”
The scoring started in the first inning on a Maddi Hackbarth groundout, which allowed Taylor Becerra to cross the plate. Two innings later, Hackbarth cashed in on a two-run home run to give the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead after three.
In the fourth, Nichole Chilson drove in a run to give the Sun Devils a 4-0 lead.
The fifth inning is when the floodgates blew open. Danielle Gibson hit a two-run shot to center field. A couple batters later, Arizona State clinched the win when Chilson singled, helping two more Sun Devils crossing the plate.
With the runs, the Sun Devils clinched the 8-0 run-rule win to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Dale Ryndak came into the game in the fourth inning and was credited with the win for ASU, increasing her record to 2-0 on the year, allowing no hits in her two innings. In the fourth inning, she only threw four pitches to retire the side.
“I did not have my best outing the last time I threw, and it felt really good to come out and dominate,” Ryndak said.
Alyssa Loza started the game for the Sun Devils, allowing no runs and only one hit, but she did not get a decision.
Hackbarth was named player of the game as she went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run. As a Fresno State transfer, Hackbarth said her strong start to her Sun Devil career has been significant.
“I came here to help this team out and get better everyday,” Hackbarth said. “The fact that I took all fall, worked my butt off to get to where I am now, it’s incredibly meaningful.”
ASU continues Littlewood Classic play tomorrow with games against Illinois State and Texas State, who are 2-5 and 4-3 on the year, respectively. The game against Illinois State begins at 4:45 p.m. MT, and it can be seen on the ASU Live Stream.
Next: ASU Softball: Sun Devils look to continue good start in Littlewood Classic
“Although Illinois State and Texas State don’t have a whole lot of notoriety in postseason, they’re both really good teams,” Ryndak said. “They should be difficult, but if we do our job and we do the little things, we should be alright.”