TEMPE, Ariz. – Trailing 3-2 in the eighth inning, junior pitcher Meika Lauppe was trying to get out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to give Arizona State one final chance to tie or win the game.

On a 2-0 count, a ground ball was hit to senior infielder Brooklyn Ulrich, who had a chance to turn an inning-ending double play and give the Sun Devils a chance to make one final strike.

But Ulrich’s attempt to field it was unsuccessful, and by the time she corralled the ball, everyone had advanced 60 feet and another run came across.

It was an ugly day defensively for Ulrich, committing four of the team’s five errors as ASU (19-4, 0-1) dropped its opening game of Big 12 action 9-5 against the Utah Utes (19-5, 1-0) in extra innings on Friday, March 6. The game was tied two apiece heading to the additional frame, but three errors by the Sun Devils were catalysts for seven runs crossing the plate. 

Although ASU made one final stand in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs of its own, it was too little too late as Utah was able to hold on.

“Momentum is a dangerous thing, and the sport is softball, and ours certainly got away from us,” head coach Megan Bartlett said. “That was tough, but it's a learning moment. I think it's a growing moment, and it'll be better. They'll be better.”

Senior pitcher Aissa Silva pitched the first five innings of the game, and Lauppe pitched the final three. The duo gave up a combined nine runs, yet only two of them were earned.

In fact, Lauppe pitched the entire eighth inning where seven runs scored, but she wasn’t charged for any of them.

“One or two mistakes happen. You can't let that turn into five because we stem that early on and just field ground balls,” Bartlett said. “We're out of that inning. I mean, we're maybe chasing a run heading into the bottom of the eighth.”

Although Ulrich made most of the mistakes defensively, freshman utility player JazMarie Roberts set the tone in the final inning, failing to field a grounder, watching it roll into the Sun Devil dugout, turning it into extra bases.

A very unusual defensive game for ASU, a team that’s been solid fielding throughout non-conference play — aside from the Sun Devil Classic a few weeks back. But at the time, a good portion of the team was dealing with the flu.

Friday’s matchup may have been the Sun Devils' excitement for league play, and it harmed them.

“Honestly, I think we started that game tonight, and they were so amped to finally get to conference and play Big 12 (Teams) that it felt pressy and kind of tight,” Bartlett said. “It wasn't a great emotion for us.”

After nearly throwing a complete game five days prior against CSU Bakersfield, Silva went five innings of two-run ball against the Utes. Although she limited the damage, she spent a good portion of her start pitching out of jams, particularly due to allowing five walks.

“I thought she made some really good pitches. We just didn't have some calls go our way,” Bartlett said. “And I certainly don't want to make excuses, because I don't know that the other dugout was super happy either.

ASU’s offense was contained outside the final inning for most of the night, an unusual sight since its hitters helped ASU get its best overall start since its last College World Series appearance in 2011.

But junior infielder Katie Chester gave the Sun Devils their first home run of the game in the second inning with a solo home run that just cleared the left-field wall. It’s now a team-leading six home runs on the season for the Missouri transfer.

“She's (Chester) a really talented hitter. She follows the plan well, and she has tremendous power, especially when you play around on her full side like that,” Bartlett said. “So (I) was happy to see her get one, and I expect she'll just continue to get better and better as the weekend goes on.”

Friday’s loss is one the Sun Devils likely want to forget, but they still can win the series by winning the next two games. The two will go at it again on Saturday, March 7, at 4 p.m. MST.

If ASU cleans up the defensive woes, the team may find itself back in the series, along with its pitching and bats.

“They're young, they're kids,” Bartlett said. “They'll learn, but I expect them to show up, clear minds, clear heads, and compete really well tomorrow.”