Gibson’s walk-off double gives Sun Devils series-opening win over Wildcats

By Scott Mammoser

April 20, 2018

TEMPE, Ariz.- Rivalry week has officially begun for college softball in the state of Arizona.

Freshman first baseman Danielle Gibson smacked a walk off double to center to drive home Morgan Howe, and the No. 8-ranked Arizona State softball team won the series opener with the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats, 2-1, on Friday. The series continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 5 p.m. on Sunday from Farrington Stadium.

Devils win game one in a walk off double 

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity, and it was a great team win on our part,” Gibson said. “I’m really good at pressure situations. We already got this one under our belt, so whether we sweep them or win the series, we played our game, and this gives us confidence.”

Gibson leads the Sun Devils in most offensive categories in her rookie year, including her batting average, which is more than .400. It’s safe to say, she isn’t considered a ‘freshman’ anymore by her coach or opposing pitchers.

“Gibby has been nails all year,” ASU coach Trisha Ford said. “She loves to compete and lives for these moments. To see her joy in those situations, you can see it in her, she has that confidence. She’s something special. She’s a lot of fun to coach.”

The Wildcats got things started early, as Ashleigh Hughes sent a leadoff home run over the fences, her fifth of the year. Arizona would only reach base three more times after that, however, and ASU’s Kindra Hackbarth added a equalizing home run in the bottom of the fourth, the second of her season.

“I got a changeup inside, it was up, and I just went for it,” Hackbarth said. “That one I felt right off the bat. We stayed focused, that’s all we did, and we ran down the ball. It’s big knowing anyone in the lineup can hit.”

Juarez gets her 227th strike out of the season.

Sun Devil pitcher Giselle Juarez threw 13 strikeouts for her 19^th win of the season, as opposed to just two losses, while the Wildcats’ Taylor McQuillin tossed 10 in the loss (19-9), while only allowing two hits.

“All of our defensive players are fantastic,” Juarez said. “They get me to calm down more, and I can throw my game instead of any other way. It’s nice to be in our own atmosphere and know they’re (fans) rooting for us.”

With the win, the Sun Devils improved to 35-7 and 9-4 in the Pacific-12 Conference, and the Wildcats fell to 29-13 and 6-10.