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Pitching Takes Over in Territorial Cup Opener

by thesundevils.com
Apr 19, 2024

TUCSON – Sun Devil softball found itself in a pitchers' duel in the opening game of this year's Territorial Cup before No. 19 Arizona walked off with a 3-2 win on Friday evening.

It appeared the offenses were going to be on display after Kelsey Hall gave Arizona State (18-23, 2-14 Pac-12) an early 2-0 lead with a home run to left that landed in the final row of the Hillenbrand Stadium bleachers.

Arizona (29-13-1, 10-9 Pac-12) tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning, and then the pitching and defense took over. ASU starter Deborah Jones retired 11 consecutive batters after the game was tied. She got defensive help with line-drive catches from Aubrey LeClair and Alesia Denby and forced a 6-4-3 double play immediately after the out streak ended.

The Wildcats won the game with a solo home run from Kaiah Altmeyer with one out in the bottom of the seventh.

LeClair reached base in all three of her plate appearances with a walk and two singles. Sara Kinch and Jordyn VanHook each had doubles for the Sun Devils.

Jones finished with three strikeouts and six hits allowed in the circle.

ASU will look to even the series on Saturday at 4 p.m.

NOTABLES

  • Hall's home run was her third in the past two games after having just two entering the week.
  • The multi-hit game from LeClair was her ninth of the season and sixth in Pac-12 play.
  • With doubles from Kinch and VanHook, ASU has now had 15 games with multiple doubles this season.

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