TEMPE, Ariz. – In a game of tug-of-war, it's about bending and not breaking. It's about answering right back after getting knocked down. The game between Arizona State and Texas Tech resembled this. 

ASU (35-15, 8-12) and Texas Tech (46-4, 18-2) faced off in game two of the series in front of another massive crowd at Farrington Stadium Saturday, April 25, with Texas Tech prevailing 7-5.

The game was scoreless until the third inning, when the Red Raiders jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

As Texas Tech tugged the metaphorical rope, the Sun Devils tugged right back and scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. Senior left fielder Tanya Windle hit a solo home run, followed by a two-run home run from junior third baseman Emily Schepp just two batters later.

The Red Raiders scored two more in the top half of the frame, but ASU senior shortstop Brooklyn Ulrich got them right back with a two-run home run of her own in the bottom of the inning. 

It was only fitting that, on senior day, seniors would be the ones leading the way. 

“That was really cool,” head coach Megan Bartlett said. “They've seen this program grow so much and helped bring this program back to the national stage.”

The Sun Devils kept the game within striking distance, but couldn't overcome their own mistakes to complete the comeback. Texas Tech got the series victory and continued to show why they are the reigning Big 12 champions. 

“Today was a heartbreaker to be honest,” Bartlett said. “Texas Tech is a very good ballclub that just kept putting pressure on us, and the dam finally broke.”

Senior right-handed pitcher NiJaree Canady was in the circle for the Red Raiders. Canady has been dominant all season, entering the game with a 1.34 ERA and 166 strikeouts.

Despite Canady’s success this season, ASU refused to stay quiet at the plate, putting up five runs. 

“This team has been doing that all season,” Bartlett said. “Our hitters are certainly not afraid to chase leads and take risks and get into balls.”

The Sun Devils struggled defensively in the game, committing four errors resulting in five Texas Tech runs. Ulrich committed three of those errors, all in the third inning.

These self-inflicted wounds made the difference in the game and squandered strong pitching performances.

Junior right-handed pitcher Meika Lauppe allowed six runs, only one of them earned. Senior right-handed pitcher Kenzie Brown gave up just one run in relief.

ASU falls to just 8-12 in conference play with the loss.

Despite the series loss, the Sun Devils’ determination hasn't wavered as they look to salvage the series finale Sunday. 

“It's certainly a game of momentum,” Bartlett said. “We are going to come out tomorrow and fight like crazy and get momentum on our side.”