TEMPE, Ariz.- Sloppy defense put Arizona State down big against Southern Utah early, until junior catcher Emily Schepp returned fire, igniting momentum.  

“I'm learning more about Emily Schepp every time we roll out here,” head coach Megan Bartlett said. “Schepp came up with a big ball, and we were right back in it.” 

ASU (11-2) battled against the Thunderbirds (6-7) after previously coming off a defeat earlier in the day at the hands of Michigan on Feb. 20 at Farrington Stadium, winning 11-10. Schepp and junior infielder Katie Chester delivered game-changing home runs, pushing the team closer to the finish line. 

“I think after the tough loss earlier to Michigan, it would have been easy to mentally check out,” Bartlett said, “this group is feisty, and they have a short memory, which they are going to need.” 

Chester hit a home run to deep center field, sending senior outfielder Tanya Windle, Schepp and herself to home plate for the grand slam during the fourth inning.

However, Southern Utah played a great game, scoring 10 runs and making the Sun Devils pay for their grounding and pitching errors throughout the game. 

“We’ve got to defend the ball a little better and execute pitches when they matter,” Bartlett said. “I don't know that there was much more we could’ve asked for on the offensive side tonight.” 

Despite the early pitching errors, freshman pitcher Peyton Mary Hodge entered the game during the fourth inning and provided an instant spark. 

Hodge pitched three strikeouts and only surrendered two runs during her time on the mound. 

“I was proud of her; she continues to battle, and I was most excited about those two balls she fielded during the very end of the game,” Bartlett said. “That’s a little freshman baby pitcher, that’s all we can ask of her right now.” 

Similarly, sophomore infielder Tiare Ho-Ching provided ASU with a strong night herself, opening up the sixth inning with a home run to center field. Ho-Ching's defensive ability proved to be strong alongside her offensive output. 

“She’s not the biggest kind in the park, but she will sure balls up, and you will watch them fly,” Bartlett said. “We're happy to have her back coming off of IR, and we pushed her down the lineup a little bit to see how she was going to settle in.”

On the other side, the Thunderbirds also struggled from the circle as the team pitched three different pitchers throughout the game. The switch in pitchers turned out to be unsuccessful as the team allowed 11 runs on 10 hits. 

Additionally, Bartlett pointed out that the pitching crew dealt with the flu going into the doubleheader tonight. 

“They have the flu, and it’s frustrating because I can’t control time, and the game isn't going to wait on anybody,” Bartlett said. “So, quite literally as the season carries on, we just have to keep piecing it together as best as we can.” 

In addition, Coach Bartlett also praised the offensive side of the ball and the maturity of the hitters playing tightly contested doubleheaders. 

“God, just the hitters had a really great night,” Bartlett said, “I was pleased with the resilience and maturity of the (lineup), that’s something we haven't seen at Club Farrington in a while.” 

The Sun Devils look to avenge their loss against the Wolverines and defeat New Mexico State in another grueling doubleheader at Farrington Stadium in the Sun Devil Classic on Saturday, Feb. 21.

“They’ve got big dreams, and they want to host a regional game,” Bartlett said. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves and try to dial them back into the next pitch and at bat.”