ASU pitching deceives Marshall hitters in sweep

 by Steven Falkenhagen
 published on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Deanna Dent / THE STATE PRESS

BARE-LY HANDED: Senior outfielder Jackie Vasquez almost makes the catch in left field during the Sun Devils’ 5-0 victory against Marshall on Tuesday evening.

Almost everyone can catch up to a fastball.

But not everyone can adjust to a good off-speeder.

ASU softball pitcher Megan Elliott incorporated a stellar changeup into her repertoire to pitch a complete-game shut out against Marshall (12-18) on Tuesday at Farrington Stadium.

The Sun Devils (36-2), ranked No. 2 by ESPN/USA Softball, swept Marshall, beating the Thundering Herd 5-0 in game one of a double-header, followed by a 13-1 win in five innings in game two.

Elliott started the first game and pitched one of her best games of the season.

Her final line: seven scoreless innings, six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

Her rise ball is one of the fastest on the team, which makes the contrast between that pitch and her changeup much more deceptive.

"I've always had a changeup," Elliott said. It just wasn't working for me. I talked to [assistant coach] Kirsten Voak about a different style, and we just kind of worked it in, so I'm really hoping it's going to be effective."

Elliott also attributed her success to mixing up her pitches and keeping hitters off-balance.

Her last complete game came against Santa Clara on March 15.

In typical ASU fashion, the Sun Devils scored their runs in bunches. ASU scored four of its five runs in the third inning.

Sophomore right fielder Caylyn Carlson was the offensive star of the night. In game one, she went 2-for-3, with a double and a home run. In game two, Carlson went 2-for-2 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. She is currently hitting .369 for the season.

Elliott enjoyed the support of solid defense behind her. The Sun Devils turned two double plays during the game.

The nightcap drew a similar outcome.

After some initial trouble in the top of the first inning, the Sun Devils were able to cruise to a 13-1 victory.

Junior pitcher Amanda Nesbitt took the circle for ASU. The early going was rough.
In the first inning, Nesbitt gave up a leadoff double to senior catcher Rachel Folden, who reached third on a Carlson throwing error.

Sophomore designated player Caitlyn Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to center field to drive in the Thundering Herd's only run of the night.

The Sun Devil bats came to life in the bottom half of the first inning. Senior catcher Kristen Miller drove in the first two ASU runs with a bases-loaded single. In total, ASU plated five runs in the bottom of the first and seven in the bottom of the second en route to its sweep.

Nesbitt settled down after the rocky first inning. She pitched a complete game, giving up only one run (unearned), two hits, one walk and six strikeouts.

Senior outfielder Jackie Vasquez was named player of the game by going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.

Conference play begins this weekend for ASU. The Sun Devils open up with No. 23 California on Friday at 3 p.m. and close out their Bay Area trip with back-to-back games against No. 5 Stanford on Saturday and Sunday.

Reach the reporter at: steven.falkenhagen@asu.edu