Sun Devil Softball Stages Another Late-Inning Comeback, Edges Nevada 7-6 for Second Straight Day
TEMPE - Déjà vu doesn’t usually come with a scoreboard, but Arizona State Softball is rewriting that rule. For the second straight night at Farrington Stadium, the Sun Devils rallied from behind to beat their opponent by an identical 7-6 score-this time against Nevada-and once again, the magic happened late.
Just like Thursday's comeback win over Indiana, Friday night’s script followed a similar arc. Nevada jumped out early, ASU clawed back, and then delivered a game-changing punch in the fifth inning. It was a gritty, grind-it-out kind of win-the kind that reveals a team’s character as much as its talent.
Early Trouble, Familiar Response
Nevada (4-3) wasted no time putting pressure on ASU, tagging the Sun Devils for four runs in the top of the first. But Arizona State didn’t flinch.
In the bottom of the second, freshman Samantha Swan stepped into the spotlight with a three-run blast to left, slicing the deficit to one. One inning later, Jazmarie Roberts tied it up with a sharp RBI double, continuing her early-season trend of delivering in key spots.
But just like Indiana the night before, Nevada had a quick answer. A two-run fourth from the Wolf Pack gave them a 6-4 lead and briefly quieted the home crowd. That silence didn’t last long.
The Fifth-Inning Rally Machine
Apparently, the fifth inning belongs to the Sun Devils this season. What began as a modest single from Katie Chester quickly snowballed into a game-shifting sequence.
Ashleigh Mejia reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Kaylee Pond stepped in and delivered a line drive to center. That’s when things unraveled for Nevada.
A misplay in the outfield allowed two runs to score, tying the game, and Pond to cruise into third. Roberts followed with a clutch two-strike single through the left side, putting ASU ahead 7-6-their first lead of the night.
It took just 14 pitches for ASU to go from trailing to leading. That’s the kind of offensive efficiency that changes games-and seasons.
Kenzie Brown Slams the Door
With a one-run lead and Nevada threatening in nearly every inning prior, head coach Megan Bartlett didn’t hesitate. She turned to Kenzie Brown, who had thrown 125 pitches just the night before, to shut things down.
And Brown delivered. Six batters up, six batters down.
Three strikeouts, two flyouts, and a pop-up to Roberts at short. That’s how you close a game.
Brown’s performance not only preserved the win, but extended an impressive personal streak-she’s now struck out at least one batter in 40 consecutive appearances. The last time she didn’t record a K?
May 10, 2023. That’s dominance.
Bartlett Praises the Fight
After the game, Coach Bartlett summed it up best: “Tonight was another gritty win. We had to grind it out for that one.
Nevada is a very good team. They won 41 games last season.
We got into a little bit of trouble early, but I’m really proud of us.”
Bartlett also highlighted the offense’s persistence and Brown’s ability to shut the door late. “I just wish they would stop making games so interesting for us,” she joked, “but that’s softball. And I certainly can’t be upset with the fight this team has.”
Roberts Keeps Rising
Roberts, the freshman infielder who notched the go-ahead RBI, continues to play like a veteran in pressure moments. “I knew I was in there for a reason and to just trust myself,” she said postgame. “I really was just focusing on passing the bat down the lineup and help create momentum for us to use.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what ASU has been thriving on-players stepping up, trusting the process, and delivering when it matters most.
Game Notes
- With her sixth-inning strikeout, Kenzie Brown extended her streak to 40 straight appearances with at least one K.
- Brooklyn Ulrich, a transfer from Marshall, recorded her first hit as a Sun Devil with a two-out single in the fourth.
- ASU continues to dominate the late innings, outscoring opponents 27-9 in the fifth, sixth, and seventh combined.
- Corie Shull, who scored in the fifth as a pinch runner, has now crossed the plate in all five games this season where she’s been inserted in that role.
ASU is 5-0 in those games.
What’s Next
Now 7-1 on the season and riding a seven-game win streak, Arizona State looks to keep the momentum rolling on Saturday with two more matchups in the Littlewood Invitational. They’ll face Portland State at 12:45 p.m.
MST, followed by a primetime battle with Pacific at 6:15 p.m. MST.
Both games will stream on ESPN+.
If the last two nights are any indication, don’t leave early-this team knows how to finish.