Broncos Rally Past Sun Devils to Earn Split

Saturday, February 10

Tempe, Ariz.

11:30 a.m.

Boise State

2-1

Wisconsin

2-1

Wisconsin

Boise State

Taylor Caudill action picture at Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., Feb. 9, 2024.

2/10/2024 8:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

TEMPE, Ariz. - Boise State softball overcame a first-inning deficit to defeat Arizona State 6-4, Saturday and earn a split in day two of the Kajikawa Classic.

The win was the second in school history on the road against a Power 5 opponent (March 20, 2016 at Texas Tech).

"We gave up 13-straight runs to start the day, but to come back and beat a Pac-12 team on the road shows we are going to be a good softball team," head coach Justin Shults said. "We are still young and learning about our identity, but the fight we showed today says a lot about who we are this early in the season."

The Broncos (3-1) fell behind 4-0 with Taylor Caudill (3-0) recording the final two outs in the first to prevent further damage.

That was just the beginning for the senior right hander. She retired 20 of 23 batters faced, including the last 12, did not allow a runner past second base, and fanned seven.

Boise State began its comeback in the second inning with a solo home run by Ashlyn Whalen.

Sophia Knight led off the third with a double and scored on Hollie Farmer's two-run homer. Two batters later, Sydney Groves launched a ball over the wall in center to tie the game 4-4.

The Broncos took the lead on an Arizona State (1-2) error in the fifth and picked up an insurance run in the seventh when Groves blasted a solo home run to left.

Earlier in the day, Boise State suffered a 9-0 mercy-rule loss to Wisconsin (2-1). The Broncos collected seven hits, including three by Knight, but gave up four long balls.

Top Broncos

Taylor Caudill went 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball with seven strikeouts and retired the last 12 batters she faced against Arizona State.
Sydney Groves homered twice in the win over the Sun Devils and was 4-for-7 over the two games.
Sophia Knight registered three hits in each game.
Hollie Farmer and Sophia Knight each collected four hits.

Notables

Boise State defeated a Power 5 team on the road for the second time in school history (Texas Tech, March 20, 2016)
The Broncos won for the first time in seven tries against Arizona State and defeated a Pac-12 school for just the seventh time in 42 games.
Taylor Caudill has not given up a run this season and has retired 42 of 47 batters faced.
Freshman Sophia Knight is 10-for-15 (.667) with a 1.600 OPS in her first four collegiate games.

What's Next
The Broncos wrap up the Kajikawa Classic at Grand Canyon on ESPN+. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Sunday.