Powerful ASU softball advances
Arizona State softball left no doubt about the better team in its NCAA regional final Sunday night.
The No. 8-seeded Sun Devils pounced to a 5-0 lead over Mississippi in the first inning at Farrington Stadium on the way to a 9-0, five-inning victory via run rule.
ASU star pitcher Giselle Juarez (25-4) was not even required to work a full game. The sophomore left-hander pitched three scoreless innings before exiting with a 9-0 lead. Breanna Macha, ASU's winning pitcher with a complete
game Saturday, finished up.
"We came out focused, they were on a mission," ASU coach Trisha Ford said. "Pitching, defense, offensively, all facets of our game were rolling. We were like a well-oiled machine tonight. Our fans were electric, and we're happy we're continuing on and we get to stay home."
ASU (46-11) advances to a super regional for the first time since 2013. The Sun Devils will host No. 9-seeded South Carolina in a best-of-three series starting Friday.
The Gamecocks (49-15) beat Liberty 2-0 and 5-0 Sunday, after losing to Liberty on Saturday, to clinch its super-regional berth. They also beat Hofstra in an elimination game Saturday with a walkoff home run.
ASU has hosted seven previous super regionals, winning each time to reach the Women’s College World Series. The Sun Devils won NCAA championships in 2008 and 2011.
Using a mixture of power and small ball, ASU confounded Ole Miss starting pitcher Kaitlin Lee (18-14) from the outset. ASU’s first two batters, Kindra Hackbarth and Taylor Becerra, reached on singles and with one out, DeNae Chatman drove a three-run homer (her eighth) just over the fence in left.
The next three Sun Devils reached on infield singles, scoring a fourth run, and Maddi Hackbarth drove in the fifth with a sacrifice fly.
"We weren't ready," Ole Miss coach Mike Smith said. "They had a great game plan. They tried to push bunt, and we didn't expect it. We were on our heels defensively. You can't be on your heels when you're playing in a game like this.
"You're probably going to see them in Oklahoma City," for the Women's College World Series.
Juarez worked out of trouble in the first inning after Kylan Becker led off with a bloop single to left and reached second on a dropped throw to Marisa Stankiewicz. Juarez retired the next three Rebels, receiving help with a solid defensive play by first baseman Danielle Gibson.
"In the beginning of the year, I said single-handedly Giselle Juarez can take us to a national championship," Macha said. "It goes to show the confidence our entire pitching staff and entire team has in her."
Juarez fired back a compliment to the senior right-hander: "Honestly, I can't do it without her. She does have my back, and I have complete faith all our staff. I don't think many staffs have that to where they can compete against each other, but still want the best for each other."
Gibson, ASU’s leading power hitter, was back in the lineup after playing only for one at-bat Saturday due to knee pain. Clearly feeling better, she dropped down a bunt single in the first and stole her first base of the season.
ASU added three runs in the third as the Rebels crumbled with a hit batter, walk, wild pitch and two errors.
The Sun Devils conversely were strong defensively with multiple plus plays to help end the game early. "Our infield is insane," shortstop Jade Gortarez said. "We're constantly talking to each other. The outfield puts in the most work. Our defense is as a whole is one of the best in the Pac-12."
Mississippi, which lost 7-1 to ASU on Saturday, finished 32-25.
ASU is one of five Pac-12 teams advancing to the final 16 super regional stage.
Oregon, Washington, Arizona and UCLA also won regionals. Arizona and UCLA will face each other next round.