TEMPE - In the world of sports, sometimes a single swing can change everything. On Saturday, March 14, Ryan Brown delivered just that moment for the Sun Devils, launching a 289-foot, game-changing solo home run that secured a thrilling 5-4 victory over No. 21/15 Oklahoma State.
The game was a seesaw battle, with both teams trading blows through the first five innings. As the tension mounted, Arizona State's head coach Megan Bartlett made a strategic move, calling on Brown to pinch-hit in the bottom of the sixth. Brown, a first-year Sun Devil, stepped up with confidence, ready to face Oklahoma State’s RyLee Crandall.
Brown’s at-bat was a chess match. After a strike and two balls, she found her pitch - a waist-high fastball that she sent soaring out of the park with an impressive exit velocity of 82.5 mph and a launch angle of 28.3 degrees. That homer not only broke the tie but also marked Brown’s first home run as a Sun Devil, a moment she and her teammates will cherish.
With a one-run lead, pitcher Meika Lauppe took the mound for the top of the seventh, determined to finish strong. Lauppe, who has been a workhorse all season, delivered an efficient 11-pitch inning to seal the deal. Her performance was a testament to her hard work and the adjustments she’s made with Coach John Bargfeldt, focusing on control and pitch variety.
Coach Bartlett praised her team’s grit, saying, “This was a tough series, and it feels great to come out on top. Meika threw a fantastic game against a strong hitting team. It was a back-and-forth battle, and I’m proud of how we persevered.”
Brown credited her teammates for their unwavering support, saying, “They always have my back, even when I’m unsure. Their belief in me makes all the difference.”
Lauppe echoed the sentiment, highlighting her growth and the strategic adjustments that paid off in this crucial game.
There were other standout moments, too. Samantha Swan set the tone early with a first-inning double, snapping a streak of seven games without a first-inning run for Arizona State. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Mejia continued her impressive on-base streak, now at 25 games, underscoring her consistency at the plate.
Looking ahead, Arizona State (22-6, 2-3) aims for a sweep against Oklahoma State (17-9, 1-4) in their Sunday matchup. A win would not only mark a series sweep but also tie the longest winning streak over the Cowgirls since their first meeting in 1981. The Sun Devils are poised to make history, and fans won’t want to miss it.