TEMPE, Ariz. – Two huge innings were more than enough for the Arizona State softball team Saturday, as the Devils earned a 19-2, five-inning mercy-rule win over Portland State in the first game and a 9-0 mercy-rule win in the nightcap.
Mackenzie Popescue improved to 6-0 by picking up both wins Saturday night. She fanned four in the first game and one in the shutout performance in the second game. Sam Parlich led ASU (15-0) offensively in the early game, going 3-for-3 at the plate and recording a season-best four RBI. Both Lucy Aubrecht and Elizabeth Caporuscio went 2-for-3 in the nightcap.
In the first game, ASU scored six runs in the first and was never challenged. A total of 13 ASU
players scored at least one run and 10 had hits. Nikki Girard finished with three runs scored in the Sun Devils' highest-scoring game since a 19-0 win over Rutgers on Feb. 29, 2010.
The second game got off to a similar start, with ASU taking a 3-0 lead in the first and then stretching the advantage to 9-0 in the second to take complete control.
With a hit in both games, Amber Freeman extended her hitting streak to nine games.
ASU finishes its homestand with Portland State (4-10) at noon Sunday.
