Arizona State’s bats erupted at Cougar Softball Stadium in Houston on Saturday. 

In a high-scoring contest, the Sun Devils (34-13, 7-10 Big 12) hit four home runs to secure a 16-8 six-inning victory over Houston (20-27, 3-17 Big 12) on Saturday, April 18. Five ASU players had multi-hit games, including five-RBI performances from junior first baseman Katie Chester and junior catcher Samantha Swan, in the team’s second Big 12 series win of the season.

As part of the offensive outburst, Chester, Swan, senior center fielder Kaylee Pond and senior shortstop Brooklyn Ulrich all homered for ASU.

The Sun Devils put up several strong offensive innings, starting off by scoring four in the first, four in the fourth and five in the sixth to trigger a run-rule.

Yet ASU’s performance on Saturday differed from Friday, when the Sun Devils broke a tied game in the seventh to defeat the Cougars. 

However, until ASU’s big sixth inning, Houston didn’t go down easily on Saturday.

After the Sun Devils scored four runs in the top of the fourth to go up 9-4, the Cougars responded with four of their own to cut the deficit to 9-8.

Houston scored in each of the first four innings, but it was outscored 7-0 over the final two innings due to a multitude of ASU individual performances. 

Of the Sun Devils’ notable afternoons, Swan played an integral role in a highly efficient day.

Fresh off last week’s NFCA Division I National Player of the Week recognition, Swan went 3-for-3 while driving in five runs, extending her hitting streak to 12 games and posting her team-leading 19th multi-hit game of the season.

Likewise, Chester also excelled at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with five RBI.

Ulrich also had a solid say as well, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.

On the other side, junior third baseman Makenna Mitchell led the way for the Cougars with a home run and three RBI.

Sophomore first baseman Maddie Hartley also homered and went 3-for-3 at the plate for Houston.

Sophomore left fielder Ariel Redmond homered and finished 2-for-3, but her defense really stood out.

In the top of the fifth, Redmond threw junior third baseman Emily Schepp out at home after doing the same to junior designated player Ryan Brown on Friday.

However, it wasn’t enough to stop the Sun Devils from frustrating the Cougars’ pitching staff.

In the circle, sophomore right-handed pitcher Nevaeh Brown started the game for Houston, but after pitching four innings on Friday, she didn’t have it on Saturday.

Brown allowed four runs and only got one batter out, leading the Cougars to use five pitchers on Saturday. 

Across the diamond, senior left-handed pitcher Aissa Silva got the start for the Sun Devils, giving up three runs over 1⅓ innings.

After Silva exited, junior right-hander Meika Lauppe pitched the final 4 ⅔ innings of the contest, only giving up two earned runs.

With Saturday’s victory, ASU secured its second Big 12 series win of the season, a big step toward qualifying for the Big 12 Tournament and remaining in a strong position to make the NCAA Tournament.

The Sun Devils go for the sweep on Sunday.