Sun Devils start 7-0 with sweep in Kajikawa Classic
After stumbling out of the gate last year by dropping two games in the season-opening Kajikawa Classic, Arizona State players got together before this season and pledged not to allow history to repeat itself.
“Last year we went 5-2, and that was just not acceptable,” junior pitcher Dallas Escobedo said. “We kind of looked back and said, ‘This year, that can’t happen.’ This is our house, our tournament. Teams can’t just come in here and beat us the first week that we’re playing.”
That message was received loud and clear, as the No. 4 Sun Devils rolled to a 7-0 record in the Kajikawa Classic this time around, capped by a six-inning, 10-0 win over Boise State on Sunday at Farrington Stadium.
Earlier in the day, ASU blanked Bradley 3-0 behind 61⁄ strong innings from Mackenzie Popescue and a save from Escobedo.
Escobedo was a big part of ASU’s hot start, recording four wins and the Sunday save and allowing just one run over 242⁄ innings. Against Boise State (2-3), she retired all 15 batters she faced and gave way to true freshman Alexis Cooper in the sixth. Making her first appearance of the year, Cooper walked one but completed the combined no-hitter, the 23rd in team history.
“We had great pitching all weekend long,” ASU coach Clint Myers said. “I can’t say enough good things about the pitching.”
Many questioned Myers’ decision to pull Escobedo with a perfect game intact, but the coach said he already decided to use Cooper for the final inning. Escobedo lobbied to stay in the game but ultimately deferred.
“Wekind of had our words,” she said with a smile. “But I did want Coop to get in there to give her some good experience.”
Center fielder Alix Johnson hit a solo shot in the fourth and catcher Lucy Aubrecht hit a three-run blast in the sixth that made it 10-0 and pushed ASU past the eightrun mercy rule.
Shortstop Cheyenne Coyle made the most of her first games as a Sun Devil. The junior transfer from Florida has hit .474 and has five home runs and 10 RBIs.
“If this is any indication,” Myers said, “we’re moving in the right direction.”
» Earlier in the day, Arizona dropped its final game of the Kajikawa Classic 14-3 to 14th-ranked Florida. Arizona fell to 3-2 on the year while Florida improved to 5-0 with wins over California, Oregon and Arizona.