Devils in Detail
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ASU Softball: Marisa Stankiewicz homers twice in 4-2 win over Cal

By Sam Ficarro

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 07: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during the team's first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes won 97-85. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 07: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky the Sun Devil stands on the court during the team's first-round game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Colorado Buffaloes at T-Mobile Arena on March 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Buffaloes won 97-85. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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ASU softball claimed the series opener with a 4-2 extra-inning win over Cal with second baseman Marisa Stankiewicz leading the way with two home runs.

Arizona State was in a pitcher’s duel versus California in the series opener Friday afternoon in Berkeley.

G Juarez made her 14th start of the season after winning both games last weekend against No. 1 Washington.

Juarez got off to a quick start shutting down the Golden Bears lineup while keeping her pitch count low.

Arizona State struck first in the second inning on a solo home run from second baseman Marisa Stankiewicz with Cal responding in the fourth inning tying the game on a fielder’s choice.

Shortstop Jade Gortarez reclaimed the lead for the Sun Devils in the seventh inning with a solo home run on a 2-1 pitch for her fifth home run of the season.

Sloppy defense came back to bite the Sun Devils in the seventh as Cal tied it on a throwing error to home plate. ASU was trying to hold the runner on third with two outs, but the throw sailed to the backstop allowing the tying run to score.

Juarez forced a pop up to strand the winning run on second base sending the game to extra innings.

In extra innings, Arizona State broke through in the 10th inning on a two-run home run by Stankiewicz for her second of the game and third of the season scoring pinch runner Bella Loomis.

Juarez finished the game off in the home-half of the 10th forcing three fly outs to seal a 10-inning complete game for her 12th win of the season.

The sophomore threw 144 pitches allowing two runs (zero earned) on five hits with one walk and a career-high 17 strikeouts boosting her season total to 147.

Cal pitched two pitchers with Kamalani Dung getting the start throwing seven innings allowing two earned runs on three hits along with six walks and seven strikeouts on 141 pitches.

Zoe Conley came on in relief for the Golden Bears throwing three innings allowing two earned runs on two hits and three strikeouts.

Conley, who was tabbed for her sixth loss of the season, is the probable pitcher to start Saturday with Breanna Macha likely to start for the Sun Devils.

Next: ASU Softball: Sun Devils face Cal in top-20 showdown

With the win, Arizona State improved to 25-4 and 3-1 in Pac-12 play and will face Cal for the middle game of the series Saturday at 3:30 p.m. PT.

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