TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State’s bats stayed hot on Saturday, Feb. 28, as the Sun Devils flew past Wisconsin with a dominant performance at the plate. 

To start Day 3 of the ASU Invitational, No. 24 ASU (17-3) defeated the Badgers (12-6) 15-7 behind a strong start Saturday afternoon at Farrington Stadium in Tempe. The Sun Devils' early run protection cushioned their way to victory. 

The first and second innings were the stomping ground for ASU’s offense. However, the Sun Devils fell behind early after a two-RBI single from UW sophomore Kendra Lewis in the top of the first inning. 

ASU quickly responded, though, as Sun Devils junior catcher Emily Schepp knotted up the score at two with a base hit to center field. Minutes later, junior catcher Samantha Swan belted a three-run home run to hand the lead over to ASU.

The Sun Devils never looked back, as a two-run home run from sophomore infielder Tiare Ho-Ching and a three-run home run from junior infielder Katie Chester upped the lead to nine. 

On the defensive side of the field, ASU senior pitcher Aissa Silva allowed three runs off seven hits in three innings of work, cruising to her seventh win of the season. 

Freshman pitcher Mary Peyton Hodge struggled out of the bullpen, allowing three hits and four runs and instilling hope to a tuckered out Badgers squad. 

That hope was short-lived, as junior pitcher Meika Lauppe went three up and three down in the top half of the fifth inning, giving the Sun Devils a chance to walk it off. 

After a set of singles and walks, ASU loaded the bases for Schepp, who rocketed a line drive off of UW senior pitcher Shelby Jacobson’s shin and drove in senior outfielder Yannixa Acuña for the mercy rule run.

For the Badgers, Saturday's game became a battle of trying to get back on their feet, as an early 5-2 hole through one inning is not the start UW envisioned. 

Following a rough outing from Jacobson, the Sun Devils battered the Badgers’ bullpen. After pitching ⅓ inning and surrendering six runs, Jacobson was thrown back out into the circle for 4 ⅓  innings before ASU closed the gate. 

Now, the Sun Devils look to sweep their next two games against California Baptist on Saturday night and CSU Bakersfield on Sunday, March 1, before starting Big 12 play against Utah next weekend.