Looks like ASU made the statement that it wanted.
In the first game of three against Stanford (16-33, 1-18 Pac-12), No. 24 ASU softball won in unprecedentedly dominant fashion by a score of 20-0 in five innings.
Breanna Macha started in the circle for the Sun Devils (31-18, 9-9 Pac-12), pitching four innings and allowing 1 hit before being relieved by junior Alexis Cooper.
ASU ignited its offensive onslaught in the top of the first inning, bringing home senior Sierra Rodriguez on a bases-loaded walk before scoring another on a sacrifice fly by senior Haley Steele.
In the top of the third, Steele added to her RBI total with a double to right that brought home sophomore Chelsea Gonzales.
Later in the inning, sophomore Sashel Palacios smacked an RBI single to left and junior Nikki Girard got an RBI double to extend the ASU lead to 5-0.
But the Sun Devils weren't done yet, scoring four more runs thanks to a 3-run home run by junior Jennifer Soria and a bases-loaded walk that scored Rodriguez once again.
In the fourth, ASU only managed one run on a fielder's choice, taking a 10-0 lead into the fifth.
In what would be the final inning of play, ASU doubled its lead in a crushing 10-run frame that brought the deficit to its final margin of 20-0.
The fifth began with an RBI single by Palacios, which was followed by a bases-loaded walk. A bases loaded error brought home the next run, and junior Abby Spiel brought home another with an RBI single.
Later on, a fielder's choice followed by an RBI single by junior Katee Aguirre extended the Sun Devil lead to 16-0.
RBI doubles by Palacios and Steele in addition to RBI singles by Girard and senior Bethany Kemp plated the final four runs of the game, giving ASU a 20-0 victory on the road.
Notable statlines:
- Haley Steele: 2-for-3, 4 RBI.
- Sashel Palacios: 3-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 BB.
- Nikki Girard: 3-for-4, 2 RBI.
- Jennifer Soria: 1-for-3, 4 RBI, HR.
Game two between Stanford and ASU is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Stanford, CA.
Reach the reporter at rclarke6@asu.edu or follow @RClarkeASU on Twitter.
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