Arizona State Softball’s maroon and gold game was supposed to be an emphatic end to what was a very successful fall season, as the team would split into two squads for a friendly scrimmage.

The weather quickly decided the game's fate, however, as only two and a half innings were played before the home plate umpire would put the game on a delay due to lightning, and shortly after, ended up calling the game before a torrential downpour hit the field.

Fans and coaches alike got a preview of the storm early, however, as junior infielder Katie Chester would open the scoring in the bottom of the second inning for Team Gold with a solo home run that cleared the scoreboard.

Much like lightning and thunder, Team Maroon quickly answered with a solo shot of its own by sophomore infielder Tiare Ho-Ching to tie the game. 

Not typically known for her power, Ho-Ching’s blast to left center field got quite the rise out of her teammates, and even though it was only a scrimmage, this game clearly meant something to both sides.

That 1-1 score would be the game's final. While it looked like a pitcher's duel to the naked eye, this was far from the case, as an uncharacteristic lack of timely hitting cost Team Maroon two big innings that could have broken this game wide open.

The top of the second saw them fail to score with the bases loaded and only one out after a walk and two infield hits. Redshirt freshman infielder Corie Shull struck out on three pitches and freshman catcher Brooke Piwowar popped out to the second baseman, effectively killing what looked like a promising rally.

The top of the third was more of the same, as Ho-Ching’s solo home run would be followed by two doubles, leaving runners on second and third with nobody out.

Junior catcher Emily Schepp came up to the plate and hit a ball to medium deep center field, one that looked plenty deep enough for a sacrifice fly, but a missile of a throw home by senior utility player Kaylee Pond would turn that at bat into a double play. 

Junior infielder Ryan Brown was next up with a runner now on third, but proceeded to ground out to second base in what became yet another wasted opportunity.

While both sides struggled offensively, the chilly air in Tempe brought out the best in the team defensively.

The main character of that theme being Schepp, as even though she was robbed of an RBI by Pond, she threw out two runners, including Pond, on stealing attempts. 

While this rain-shortened game marked the end of ASU’s fall season, the team seemed to improve as the weather got colder, providing fans optimism for the ensuing 2026 season.

The Sun Devils now look towards better weather in the Spring, but hope to keep their bats sending lightning bolts for months to come.