ASU softball went into extra innings to try to break its losing streak, but the Sun Devils fell for the ninth time in a row in a 7-4 loss to No. 5 Oregon.
Redshirt junior pitcher Kelsey Kessler pitched again today after performing well in last night’s loss. She was only in for a short time, though, struggling against the dominant Oregon offense.
Kessler faced seven batters in the one inning she pitched in, giving up five hits and three runs. One of the hits was a two-run home run.
Kessler reflected on Oregon's offense and why it's a battle for the pitching staff.
"Oregon does a good job adjusting mid at-bat," Kessler said. "Sometimes they just adjust quicker than we do."
Sophomore pitcher Breanna Macha entered to relieve Kessler and managed to get out of the inning without allowing any more runs.
Despite the rough start in the field, the Sun Devils responded right back, cutting the score to 3-2.
With runners on the corners, senior second baseman Nikki Girard got a base hit that turned into a triple after the left fielder mishandled the ball. This error allowed two runs to come home and cut back the deficit.
ASU tied the game up in the fourth inning. Junior catcher Sashel Palacios got on base with a single and senior designated player Katee Aguirre doubled to put runners in scoring position. Sophomore first baseman Margaret Stahm did her job, knocking home a run with a single.
The tie didn't last. Macha gave up a solo home run in the fifth inning. After, she was replaced in the circle by sophomore pitcher Dale Ryndak.
Co-interim head coach Letty Olivarez noted that the pitchers were prepared for this game and overall just looking for a win.
"As a pitching staff, we were trying to make the best pitching combination." Olivarez said. "It was working for awhile, and then it stopped."
ASU trailed 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. Senior center fielder Jennifer Soria stepped to the plate and knocked her 13th home run of the season to tie the game and send it into extras.
Jennifer Soria's 13th home run from The State Press on Vimeo.
With their powerful bats, Oregon was able to grab back the lead in the eighth inning. The Ducks hit a three-run home to take the lead and pad on insurance. Kessler re-entered the game to close out the eight, but the Sun Devils were in a hole they couldn't dig themselves out of.
They fell 7-4.
Soria notes that the team is learning from their mistakes and putting it towards the next week of games.
"Things don't go our way all the time, but we just have grow and learn and come out next practice preparing for UCLA," Soria said.
Reach the reporter at lmbrunet@asu.edu or follow @Leah_brunette on Twitter.
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