Sports

Arizona State Softball Allows Free Pitch To BYU Senior In Powerful Display Of Sportsmanship

by

ESPN


The Arizona State softball team faced BYU in the final weekend of the regular season. The Sun Devils provided a powerful display of sportsmanship in the last game of the series.

They refused to swing at the first pitch. In doing so, it allowed two BYU seniors to share the spotlight in their final college outing.

The moment offered a reminder of all that is good in NCAA sports. Arizona State deserves praise for its handling of the situation.

Injured BYU seniors finished their softball careers.

Kaysen Korth and Jaelynn Lambert combined to appear in just five games across the 2026 season. Both suffered injuries that prevented them from seeing the field. Each had a history of health issues that caused them to miss time.

Korth, a pitcher from Bluffdale, suffered a setback in 2024 that kept her on the bench. She played in six games with two starts before making a strong return in 2025.

Last year, Korth was one of the Cougars’ top arms. She started a team-high 21 games while amassing a 2.25 ERA and 16-6 overall record.

Unfortunately, her senior season was derailed. She started just three games. Her teammate, Lambert, experienced a similar storyline.

After playing in 39 games last year, she was sidelined for nearly the entirety of the 2026 campaign. Just two weeks before the season opener, she was forced to call it quits.

Back pain created leg numbness and shooting pains throughout her lower body during a preseason batting practice session. This came after having shoulder surgery as a freshman alongside a series of concussions.

“Everything hurt. I couldn’t use the restroom, I couldn’t get out of bed… just everything hurt,” she said of the injury, which stripped her of one final season.

Lambert played in one game. It was the last contest of her career. Korth was also on the field, getting the start on the mound.

Both were given the opportunity to finish strong, in part thanks to Arizona State.

The Sun Devils refused to swing.

Korth and Lambert were in the starting lineup during the regular season finale. Arizona State knew the significance and allowed a free pitch.

After the delivery, play stopped. Both players were removed from the game, leaving the field to the embraces of teammates.

The moment was emotional. Each player received a well-deserved sendoff on senior day. The Sun Devils’ incredible sportsmanship helped make it possible.