Brown started the game on fire from the circle, compiling three strikeouts in the first frame despite a two-out single from Kansas junior infielder Hailey Cripe. 

With Brown stepping up for the Devils, it was up to the bats to get things going in a crucial conference matchup. 

Following a leadoff walk from freshman infielder Tiare Ho-Ching, freshman outfielder Ashleigh Mejia kickstarted ASU’s offense, belting a two-run home run over the right field wall, her second home run in the last three games.  

“It was nice to see the defense be able to breathe a little bit once she did that,” graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall said.

Brown channeled her rhythm in the second inning, striking out the side without allowing a runner to reach base. 

The Sun Devils found more success at the plate after junior outfielder Yaya Acuña got on base with a perfectly placed bunt, followed by a two-run home run from Hall that saw ASU take a commanding 4-0 lead over the Jayhawks. 

“RBIs come from my teammates being on, so my teammates obviously continuing to do their job, and just buying into the people behind them is huge,” Hall said. 

Despite the deficit, Kansas pulled one back, scoring off an RBI knock from sophomore utility player Anna Soles. 

Brown’s performance began to taper late in the game, as senior catcher Natalie Marshall and junior outfielder Aynslee Linduff both hit solo home runs to cut the deficit to one. 

Determined to carry the team on her shoulders, Brown stepped up in the sixth to hold the Jayhawks scoreless while striking out two and not allowing more than a two-out walk.

Hall continued her great day with a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth, where she was replaced by freshman infielder Grace Molitor. However, Arizona State couldn’t extend the lead, stranding her at third base. 

Going into the top of the seventh with the game on the line, head coach Megan Bartlett put the ball back into the hands of her best pitcher despite her fifth inning struggles. 

“A superstar athlete is what she is,” Bartlett said. “That kid’s a warrior, she’s tough.” 

Brown looked every bit the superstar in the final frame, striking out the side to secure the weekend series victory for the Sun Devils.

Arizona State will now turn its attention to a midweek non-conference double-header in Texas against UTEP. 

“It’s going to be a determination of our character and our grit,” Hall said.