No. 16 ASU softball defeated Auburn 13-0 in run-rule fashion thanks to a seven-run fourth inning Thursday afternoon in Cathedral City, California in game one of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
The Sun Devil offense failed to score any runs in the first inning, but it picked up in the second and got more productive as the game went on.
Junior first baseman DeNae Chatman hit a two-run home run to right center field to put the Sun Devils on the scoreboard.
The third inning was more of the same, as the Sun Devils managed to plate four more runs. Freshman right fielder Jazmine Hill drove in two runners with a single and later scored on a passed ball.
Two runs were needed in the fourth inning to put the Sun Devils in run-rule territory, and they quickly surpassed that, tallying seven in the inning. Freshman shortstop Alynah Torres began the action with an RBI double, later scoring on an error.
Chatman continued the barrage with an RBI single, giving her four RBIs in the game. Another run scored on a bases loaded walk by sophomore outfielder MaKenna Harper.
Senior center fielder Kindra Hackbarth got in on the action, driving in two more runs on a single.
The scoring finally ceased after freshman catcher Macy Simmons drove in the thirteenth run of the game.
While the offense took some time to get going, junior pitcher Madison Preston was on roll from the start, pitching all five innings and allowing just two hits.
The Sun Devils will look to add to their six game win streak in a doubleheader Feb. 21 beginning at 6:30 p.m. MST against San Diego and New Mexico.
Reach the reporter at kbdyer2@asu.edu and follow @TheKamDyer on Twitter.
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