(Photo: Michael Baron/WCSN)
ASU’s six-game winning streak came to an end over the weekend as the No. 8 Washington Huskies swept the Sun Devils in their three-game series.
The Devils were outscored 11-4 in the series and failed to score a run in the final two games in Seattle. ASU is now 19-8 on the season while the Huskies improved to 24-3 this year.
In the first game of the series, the Huskies stormed out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning. The Sun Devils were quick to respond in the top of the second inning with four runs of their own. ASU freshman Brianna Wise doubled to right field, scoring both Margaret Stahm and Marisa Stankiewicz. ASU would add another run when sophomore Skylar McCarty singled to left, plating Fa Leilua. The Huskies’ lead was trimmed to 4-3 after one-and-a-half innings.
The score remained the same until the top of the fifth inning when the Devils tied the game. ASU senior catcher Sashel Palacios singled to left field, scoring Randi Farricker. However, the tie game did not last as Washington responded with two in the bottom of the fifth and would go on to win the game 6-4. Washington’s Taran Alvelo earned the win, going seven innings and conceding nine hits, but striking out seven batters. ASU junior Breanna Macha took the loss for ASU as her record fell to 7-4.
The second match of the series also saw the Washington offense get rolling early. After a bases loaded walk, UW sophomore Morganne Flores doubled to center field, scoring two runs. After one inning, it was 3-0 Huskies. The Huskies would score one more run in the bottom of the fourth inning as senior Ali Aguilar hit an RBI single to right center field.
Washington won the game 4-0. It was the first time ASU had been shut out since March 2 against the Michigan Wolverines in the Judi Garman Classic. Washington freshman pitcher Samantha Manti captured her fifth win of the season to run her record to 5-0. Manti allowed only three hits and struck out nine batters. Meanwhile, freshman Giselle Juarez took the loss for the Sun Devils as her record fell to 9-7 for the 2017 season.
The finale of the series would yield only one run on the scoreboard between the two teams. The game remained scoreless halfway through the sixth inning, but Washington’s Taylor Van Zee homered to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Washington would sweep the Devils with a 1-0 win in the series finale. Alvelo captured the win to run her record to 14-1 on the season while ASU junior Dale Ryndak was dealt her first loss of the season and is now 6-1.
The Sun Devils will return to the desert and begin another home stand on Wednesday when the New Mexico State Aggies come to Tempe for a doubleheader. The Aggies are the last non-conference opponent ASU will see during the regular season. ASU will resume Pac-12 play on Saturday when the Oregon State Beavers come to Farrington Stadium for a three-game series.
