It wasn’t the prettiest performance, but the ASU softball team controlled its matchup on Saturday night at the Mary Nutter Classic, winning 4-1 against Bethune-Cookman to improve to 11-4 on the season.
The No. 13 Sun Devils had a chance to score early when junior infielder Jade Gortarez reached third base with only one out, but sophomore infielder Bella Loomis lined out and junior outfielder Kindra Hackbarth flied out to end an opportunity in the second inning.
However, the Sun Devils came back in the following innings with runs as senior outfielder Skylar McCarty took advantage of a Bethune-Cookman wild pitch to score from third in the third inning.
Hackbarth came through to drive in another run in the fourth inning.
However Hackbarth needed help as she hit a catchable ball deep into the outfield, but Bethune-Cookman dropped it, which on the error sophomore infielder Kiara Kennedy scored, and Hackbarth speedily advanced to second.
Later on, Hackbarth stole third, before she ultimately scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning to give ASU a 3-1 lead.
After a scoreless fifth inning for each team, Bethune-Cookman (4-11) put pressure on ASU in the sixth inning. ASU junior pitcher Samantha Mejia ended the threat with a strikeout, allowing only one run.
ASU provided Mejia another insurance run in the sixth inning. After ASU previously scored twice on wild pitches and then on an outfield catching error, McCarty drove in a run in conventional fashion with an RBI-double to score Loomis.
Mejia sealed the win, throwing a complete game with eight strikeouts.
ASU plays its final game at the Mary Nutter Classic against Cal Poly at 3 p.m. MST on Sunday.
Reach the reporter at nahiatt@asu.edu or follow @NATE_HIATT on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepressport on Twitter.
