ASU Softball: G Juarez shuts out Aggies in NCAA Tournament opener

ASU softball won their opening game of the Tempe Regional defeating New Mexico State 2-0 behind a two-hit shutout from G Juarez.

After throwing six hitless innings, G Juarez was on the verge of history.

Three outs away from the second NCAA Tournament no-hitter in school history, Juarez faced New Mexico State second baseman Kelsey Horton, the nation’s leader in home runs.

In Horton’s third at-bat of the night, she ripped the first pitch off the left field wall for a single ending the no-hit bid.

After the lost of a potential no-hitter, the game was suddenly in the balance as New Mexico State loaded the bases in the seventh inning with one out.

Up to bat was pinch hitter Shelby Shultes, who smoked a first pitch from Juarez.

Fortunately for the Sun Devils, it was hit right to senior third baseman Taylor Becerra who made the catch and dove to touch third base recording a game-ending double play.

The eighth-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils defeated New Mexico State 2-0 to advance to the 1-0 Game Saturday afternoon.

“I told them the first game is always the hard. I thought they did a heck of a job. We made some loud outs tonight. It’s going to be hard and you got to embrace this hard. This is such a great opportunity,” head coach Trisha Ford said. “The hard is the privilege and they did a good job. I thought G made some big pitches when she needed to. I thought our defense played solid behind them and we got some hits when we needed them. Hopefully, we got all the rust out and we’re ready to go tomorrow.”

In her second career NCAA Tournament start, Juarez was dialed in striking out eight straight batters after a line out opened the game.

The sophomore phenom finished throwing a complete game shutout for the 13th time this season striking out 10 batters.

Friday’s performance marks the 14th time this season Juarez has struck out at least 10 in a game.

The only runs in the game came in the first inning as center fielder Morgan Howe ripped a two-run double.

Ford explained the importance of getting the early runs across.

“I think our offense got us some big runs early in the game,” Ford said. “I think it allowed G to throw a little more loose. I think it let us breathe a little bit.”

After tallying two runs on two hits in the first inning, ASU was only able to draw two hits the rest of the game against Aggies pitchers Analise De La Roca and Samaria Diaz.

De La Roca got the loss allowing the only runs of the game in four innings of work. Diaz came on in relief and threw two scoreless innings allowing only two hits.

The Sun Devils will be back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. PT against Ole Miss for a spot in the Tempe Regional Final.

These two teams met in the 1-0 Game last year in the Oxford Regional with the Rebels winning the game 2-0. Ford discussed how they could use their experience from last year’s contest in Saturday’s rematch.

Next: ASU Softball: Sun Devils favorites to advance, but it won’t be easy

“I think we’re familiar with some of their hitters and we’re familiar with [Kaitlin] Lee if she throws on the mound. It’s a first for everything,” Ford said. “Last year, it was my first postseason with ASU. It was a first time being on the road. I think being at home and being who we are this year, I’m excited.”

All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand  by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.