ASU Softball: Sun Devils upset No. 9 Texas to finish the Sun Devil Classic

No.15 ASU softball upset No. 9 Texas 9-6 thanks to a big day for junior Kindra Hackbarth, solid pitching and fielding to finish off the Sun Devils Classic.

The Sun Devils avenged Friday’s loss to the Longhorns Sunday afternoon. ASU was able to get the win through a big day by junior right fielder Kindra Hackbarth, solid pitching by junior Samantha Mejia and freshman Abby Andersen, and good fielding.

Hackbarth started the game off well for the Sun Devils by hitting a leadoff home run. The Longhorns would respond back with four runs of their own in the top of the second inning through walks and a single from sophomore Janae Jefferson that brought two in.

Hackbarth would continue her good day by making a diving catch in right field to save the Sun Devils from giving up two more runs in the top of the third inning.

ASU would tie the game up 4-4 in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run home run by Kindra Hackbarth, her second of the day, giving her four total RBIs.

The Sun Devils’ offense woke up in the bottom of the fourth, getting five runs in the inning.

They got the runs through walks loading up the bases, which led to junior shortstop Jade Gortarez scoring one run on a wild pitch.

Senior center fielder Morgan Howe would hit a double off of the left field wall, scoring two. Then, there was a error on a throw to home plate, scoring one more and advancing Howe to third.

Sophomore first baseman DeNae Chatman would score Howe in with a single of her own.

The Longhorns were able to add two more runs, but solid fielding by the Sun Devils and pitching from Mejia and Andersen would give ASU the 9-6 win.

Mejia pitched four innings, giving up seven hits but only allowing one earned run. Andersen pitched one and one-third innings, giving up two hits and only one run.

The biggest takeaway from the Sun Devil Classic for assistant coach Carly Wynn was that her team can compete with the best.

“You don’t have to be perfect,” Wynn said. “You just have to swing at the right time and hit one out of three at-bats to be good at this sport.”

As for Hackbarth, she said it was all about sticking to the plan.

“We just went into the box and stuck to our plan when we faced (Miranda) Elish,” Hackbarth said. “We did everything the coaches said, and all that was left was to execute.”

The Sun Devils are now 15-6 heading into next weekend, where they will host the ASU invitational. They will face James Madison, Michigan, New Mexico State, Lehigh and South Dakota.

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