(Photo: Elaine Wilson/WCSN)
Coming from the Big 12 to the Pac-12 presents a unique challenge, but for redshirt junior pitcher Kelsey Kessler it has been everything and more.
Kessler grew up in Blue Springs, Mo. and was recruited to play softball at Kansas.
Through her first two years with the Jayhawks, Kessler was phenomenal as she earned All-Big 12 Second-Team honors in her freshman season. She also led the Jayhawks to two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament as a freshman and sophomore.
After her sophomore year Kessler transferred over to Arizona State.
“In Big 12 we were challenged with Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas,” Kessler said. “There is no weekend off here (the Pac-12). You can’t take a game off ever.”
At first glance it may not seem like a huge deal for Kessler to transfer into ASU, but for her it is everything.
“Growing up in Kansas City they tell you they don’t recruit out in the midwest, you have to live on the west coast to go to the schools,” Kessler said. “Just the fact that I’m here is a huge honor to me.”
Kessler, who is in her first year of eligibility with the Sun Devils, dominated the preseason and quickly rose to the status of the team’s ace.
Even though Kessler has statistically been the best pitcher on the staff this year she is willing to accept any role that the coaches want to place on her.
“It depends on the weekend,” Kessler said. “Ultimately if they want me to go out there I’ll go out there. I don’t think anyone has a set role.”
Last season Kessler was unable to play for ASU, and the rotation consisted of just sophomore pitchers Breanna Macha and Dale Ryndak, but now that Kessler is available it has given the Sun Devils a different look.
“It has helped us a lot,” ASU co-interim head coach Letty Olivarez said. “She’s been able to spin the ball a little bit more, and she doesn’t throw as hard so it gives the batters a different look. It’s been a good combo to have her there between Breanna and Dale.”
The benefits showed early on in the season, especially during non-conference tournaments. Kessler dominated in almost every tournament that the Sun Devils played in.
In the Littlewood Classic she went 2-0 in two starts and also added two saves in her other two appearances. Kessler continued to dominate in the Judi Garman Classic where she went 2-0 in one day while pitching 11 innings.
However, now conference play is full swing and the Sun Devils, including Kessler, are slipping.
Kessler only has two wins in Pac-12 play, compared to the 11 she had garnered over non-conference play.
Her earned run average has also inclined since reaching conference play, as it has risen from sub-3.00 to 3.13. The increase could be from the amount of innings that she is accumulating, because she has pitched 157 innings.
“We have had three rough weekends, and that kind of starts to get a little bit draining,” Olivarez said. “I think her getting better at understanding she has to reinvent herself when they start to hit her best pitches is what will get her past these teams.”
Even though struggles have struck Kessler recently she still finds herself second in the Pac-12 with 13 wins and is tied for 49th in the nation in strikeouts with 151.
In her first year of eligibility at ASU Kessler has quickly risen among the national ranks, and has shown the signs of being one of the most dominant pitchers in the NCAA.
If the Sun Devils are going to turn things around this year they will need to rely on Kessler to once again find her dominant ways. If she does, ASU could pose a big threat as the year winds down.
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact Jacob Franklin via Twitter @JFrankSports or via email at jacobfranklin093@gmail.com.
