Day Two of Kajikawa Classic Ends with Second Split

See the full game recap with Box score, team stats and game leaders.

TEMPE – The second day of the Kajikawa Classic saw a similar result as Sun Devil softball split its two games at the annual event. Arizona State let an early lead get away in a 6-4 loss to Boise State to begin the evening. The team then responded with a run-rule win over Maine 9-1 in the nightcap.

Boise State 6, Arizona State 4
After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Sun Devils bats went quiet the rest of the game as the Broncos rallied for the 6-4 win. ASU finished with seven hits – including five doubles – but only two of those came after the first inning.

Sarah Kinch drove in a pair of runs as one of seven different Sun Devils to record a hit. Marissa Schuld allowed two runs (one earned) over 4.1 innings with five strikeouts.

How it Happened

• Tanya Windle singled, and Kayla Lissy doubled to open the game for the Sun Devils.
• Two more doubles from Sarah Kinch and Kelsey Hall gave the team a 3-0 lead.
• Marissa Schuld added a sacrifice fly later in the frame.
• Boise State used a solo home run in the second, a two-run blast and another solo in the third to tie the game at 4-4.
• The Broncos took the lead with a run in the fourth inning and then ASU left the potential tying run in scoring position in their half of the frame.
• Boise State provided the final margin with another solo home run in the seventh.

Arizona State 9, Maine 1 (5 innings)
For the second straight night the Sun Devils bounced back with a solid performance in the second game of the day. Mac Osborne dominated the Black Bears in the circle with a career-high 10 strikeouts in posting her fourth career shutout.

Shannon Cunningham led the offensive attack with her first career three-hit game. She drove in three run – including a home run – and scored twice. Alesia Denby added two hits and two RBIs as well.

How it Happened

• Cunningham got ASU on the board with a two-run home run to center field in the bottom of the second inning.
• After the Sun Devils scored on a double steal, Cunningham singled home the team's fourth run if the game in the third inning.
• Denby added a two-run single a few batters later, and then the Sun Devils took advantage of some field miscues to end the third leading 9-0.

Notables

• Osborne's 10 strikeouts set a new career high and it's the second time in four games a Sun Devils posted at least 10 strikeouts in a game. It had been nearly two years since it happened before Friday.
• With two hits and two RBIs against Maine, Denby is the first Sun Devil with two games of each this season.
• Denby also extended her hitting streak to five games dating back to last season. She has gone 7 of 15 during the run.
• Cunningham's home run was the second of her career. He first was at Utah on April 8, 2023.
• Yannixa Acuña singled in both games on Saturday to give her a three-game hitting streak.

POSTGAME QUOTES
Assistant Coach Hailey Decker
On the team's performance: 
"I think it was a tough loss to lose to Boise. We want to come out and perform well at home, but it's a lot of learning lessons, it's early. We've seen a lot of talented teams go down early. It's just part of preseason. So we're going to take it in stride. We're going to learn, we're going to grow." 

On the moving on to next weekt: 
"We have a handful of other talented teams. Teams want to play here and we love that. Coming off of this tournament, the coaches are going to do what we can in the office to prepare the team on the field. The girls are going to come back ready to compete and we're just going to play the best Devil softball we can."

Arizona State Sophomore Shannon Cunningham:
On how much her game has grown compared to last year:
"I spent some time in Florida this summer in the FGCL, and really that was to boost my confidence, get me more live at-bats, just kind of feel why I love the game. It's a process, coach Jimmy (Kolaitis)  tells me that all the time, that it's a process. I'm just trying to stay on the process and do the best job that I can to help my team win."

Arizona State Senior Pitcher Mac Osborne:
On how her confidence has grown this past offseason heading into this year:
"I'm feeling really confident. I now know the competition from last year. Rather than coming from another conference like I did. I feel really prepared. I really like this team and the chemistry that we're building, and there's some great things about to happen."