When Rylee Pierce was shopping around for a different softball program, she was aware of the Arizona-Arizona State rivalry, but she didnβt really know just how intense it could get.
The Missouri transfer was just looking for a fun program to end her career. It seems Pierce has found just that β while helping No. 11 Arizona to a three-game, dominating sweep of the No. 17 Sun Devils.
The Wildcats (27-7, 9-0 Pac-12) completed their third consecutive conference sweep with Sundayβs 2-0 win at Hillenbrand Stadium. The UA outscored ASU 18-0 during the three games, winning 8-0, 8-0 and 2-0.
βIβd never wore an Arizona jersey, so I didnβt understand what it was like to feel it and to feel all the emotions and all the excitement that come with it,β Pierce said. βOver the course of the last three days, obviously itβs been really, really fun to see and feel.β
Although it wasnβt a run-rule victory like the first two games, Arizona posted the first shutout sweep since the conference moved to three-game series in 2010, and its first ever against the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils entered the series as the nationβs top scoring team (9.12 runs per game) and No. 1 home run team (1.94 per game). Instead, ace Taylor McQuillin only allowed two hits Sunday, for a total of six ASU hits over the weekend.
βWe didnβt just beat them,β Pierce said. βWe came and made a statement. I think it showed our teamβs fight and our attack mentality.β
Pierce drove in both of the Wildcatsβ runs.
Her single to left field in the fourth scored Malia Martinez, who drew a walk during her at-bat. Then, in the sixth inning, Pierce hit her sixth home run of the season to make it 2-0.
βHonestly, I just keep it simple and work for my team,β Pierce said.
The Sun Devils had a couple of chances to score, but were unsuccessful.
Arizona State got in scoring position in the third inning on a double by Bella Loomis, who was left stranded. In the next inning, Jade Gortarez reached first on an error by Martinez, but was caught stealing second by catcher Dejah Mulipola.
The Sun Devils managed to get two runners on base in the seventh β on a walk and a single β but three consecutive pop-ups got McQuillin out of the jam.
McQuillin said the 10-pitch walk was a result of the Sun Devils not wanting to give up and fight through their at-bats. The hit, however, was just a missed pitch.
Arizonaβs ace finished with seven strikeouts, two hits and two walks in seven innings.
βIt kind of made me realize βHey, I can use my defense. My defense is behind me β Iβm not by myself in this situation,ββ McQuillin said. βThatβs how we got three pop-ups, and thatβs the win.β
Coach Mike Candrea was very pleased with his teamβs performance over the weekend, especially the fact that they didnβt give up any runs.
Offensively, the bats struggled in the early innings, but Arizona was able to turn it around.
βToday we hit about seven balls right at people and couldnβt find a hole, but we did what we had to to win,β Candrea said. βItβs always a good victory.β
Inside pitch
- Reyna Carracoβs career-best 15-game hitting streak came to an end Sunday. The second baseman was walked during her first at bat and then went 0 for 2 with two fly balls to the outfield.
- UA hosts UTEP for a nonconference doubleheader at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with the second game slated for a 4 p.m. start.
