(Photo via Zina Garcia/WCSN)
Arizona State softball finds itself at the halfway point of its non-conference slate as it enters the Sun Devil Classic. Having to compete in six contests over four days is no easy feat, but another round of tournament play featuring Texas State, Seton Hall, Ohio State, Utah Valley, Idaho State, and New Mexico State could provide the spark the Sun Devils need to truly emerge.
After emerging from the Littlewood Classic and its Wednesday doubleheader with UTEP with a 7-4 overall record, the strengths and weaknesses of ASU are mostly cut and dry. The Devils’ offense has been elite, averaging over 6.5 runs per game. But their success is being held back by struggles in the pitching department. Balance on both sides of the ball will be critical since Arizona State’s first two opponents of the weekend have recent NCAA tournament experience.
A lone matchup on Thursday night brings Texas State, whom the Sun Devils own a 5-2 all-time series lead against and have faced as recently as 2022 in a 2-0 loss. The Bobcats appeared in the 2023 NCAA softball tournament and are off to a solid start by winning eight of their first 12 contests. In what could be a potential statement win for ASU, it’ll have to primarily focus on breaking through a pitching staff rocking a 2.14 ERA.
Friday includes a doubleheader that begins against Seton Hall. While the Pirates also made the NCAA tournament the previous year, they’ve struggled to find their footing right out of the gates. Their play on the mound through four games has resulted in a 6.51 combined ERA, which could be a fatal flaw when facing the red-hot bats of the Sun Devils. Regardless, ASU shouldn’t take Seton Hall’s own offense lightly since it possesses five players with an OPS above .750.
Then immediately after, Arizona State takes on Ohio State in what is expected to be a high-scoring thriller. The lowest batting average for any Buckeyes player with at least two plate appearances is .304, and the team, as a whole, has already racked up 76 hits and 53 runs in only seven games. Both of these squads are also comparable in their inconsistent pitching, which could turn this matchup into a battle of attrition and leave a major decision in head coach Megan Bartlett’s hands over who she feels can go the distance against such a top-flight offense.
On Saturday, ASU goes back-to-back once again versus Utah Valley and Idaho State.
Despite Utah Valley owning a tepid appearance through their 4-5 record, ASU should still proceed with caution considering its opponent’s previous track record. The Wolverines were within one run of taking down both No. 5 Washington and No. 13 Nebraska earlier this season thanks to their uncanny ability to get on base.
Idaho State is another opponent riding the hot hand that can pose a threat to ASU through its lack of a visible flaw. A .329 batting average, 1.63 ERA, and excellent fielding as a collective has allowed the Bengals to cruise to a 10-1 start. The Sun Devils will have to become just as well-rounded and exploit Idaho State’s high strikeout rates to add another victory to their perfect 7-0 all-time record against the program.
The Sun Devil Classic will draw to a close on Sunday morning when ASU faces New Mexico State. A shocking upset of Nebraska last Friday has been the highlight for an Aggies squad boasting a common strength in this tournament in elite offensive production. As is the case for most of the Sun Devils’ opponents though, they’ll have to hope they can throw out one of their few reliable arms in an otherwise lackluster rotation.
No matter how experienced ASU has become in tournament play to start the 2024 season, this year’s edition of the Sun Devil Classic will still push the team to its limits. Finding improvements in their play on the mound, sustaining their success on offense, and enduring a grueling four-day stretch could serve as the moment for the Devils to emerge as a serious contender.
