(Photo: Alli Cline)
Experience, talent, speed, movement; there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when putting together a brand new pitching staff. That’s exactly what ASU softball coach Craig Nicholson has had to do.
At seasons start it wasn’t clear who would see time in the circle. It was noticeable that there were options. These options included the two junior returners, Alexis Cooper and Jenna Makis, and the two-star freshmen recruits Dale Ryndak and Breanna Macha.
From an outsiders view, Alexis Cooper seemed to be the most obvious option to be the number one starter. The junior had a promising start last season when she threw a complete-game two-hitter in March. Because of the dominance by Dallas Escebedo and MacKenzie Popescue, that was Coopers only start, and she only pitched four other innings the entire season.
Even with this lack of experience, she still saw more time than Makis, who only pitched five innings in 2014.
Dale Ryndak, the first of the two-star freshmen, posted an incredible 0.23 ERA with 22 wins in her senior season at Downers Grove in Illinois.
Macha is the other freshman and hometown hero. The hard-throwing righty led her team to four State Championships in high school, and had 256 strikeouts her senior season.
Nicholson made the decision to go with the two freshmen as his top two pitchers in the rotation. For him, the decision was made based on what he saw in the offseason.
“The consistency I saw in practice and against our hitters is what put Ryndak and Macha on top,” Nicholson said.
The freshmen will be the go-to pitchers for the Devils, which was evident in the first weekend of action as both arms received 20 innings of work, and five out of seven starts.
Even though Macha and Ryndak will see the most appearances, fans can’t expect Cooper to be left out of the mix.
“We are going to need at least three (pitchers) to be solid as we move forward,” said Nicholson. “And four would be even better.”
Cooper started two games and got off to good starts, but began to fall apart in later innings of work. In order for her to get more starts she’ll have to be more consistent.
Makis did not see anytime on the hill, and Nicholson wants to change that but is not quite confident enough to pitch her in a tight situation.
“I’d really like to get her in a game that’s not close, and see how that goes, and maybe build on from there,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson started Ryndak in the season opener but was reluctant to name an ace to his staff as he thinks it is too early in the season to decide.
“Right now I wouldn’t say one or the other (in reference to Ryndak or Macha).” Nicholson said. “They both had some major positives through the weekend, and both had things they’ll have to do better. We’ll have to see how the next few weeks play out.”
One thing is clear. ASU softball is looking to fill the voids left behind by powerhouse pitchers Dallas Escobedo and McKenzie Popescue. There may be two freshmen that could reach the likes of these two stars one day, however it is two early to tell.
More tests will come as the Sun Devils have five games this weekend. The first will be the front end of a back to back on Friday against North Texas. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. at Farrington Stadium.
You can reach the author on Twitter @DrewJandre or by email at dandre@asu.edu
