ASU Softball: Sun Devils set to host home-opening Littlewood Classic

(Photo via Max Zepeda/WCSN)

After starting the season 4-1 at the San Diego State Season Kickoff, Arizona State Softball looks to continue their winning ways as they host the Littlewood Classic in Tempe at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium.

In the Littlewood Classic, the Sun Devils will face off against BYU (2-2) on Thursday, Portland State (2-3) on Friday, Illinois State (1-3) and DePaul (4-0) on Saturday, and Weber State (1-4) on Sunday.

ASU will look to continue its explosive hitting, which has been key to its solid start. The Sun Devils are currently batting .331 as a team, which has resulted in almost 30 runs. The Sun Devils have a .982 on-base percentage along with 28 RBIs.

Another key to the Sun Devils’ success is their ability to steal bases. They have three stolen bases on 4 attempts. Despite returning just one pitcher from last season, ASU has had success in the circle, allowing a batting average of .220.

Through the first five games, a couple of players have established themselves as essential for ASU’s winning ways. The first player is graduate outfielder Yannira Acuña, who has a batting average of .429, and three home runs, along with seven RBIs. The second player is senior infielder Jazmyn Rollin. She tallied a batting average of .500 with eight hits and two home runs of her own in San Diego.

Thursday’s matchup against BYU will be the first time these two teams have met since 2021 when BYU upset the then-No. 15-ranked Sun Devils. Friday’s game against Portland State and Saturday’s game against Illinois State are rematches from the 2022 Littlewood Classic. Both games ended in run-rule victories for the then-No. 21 Sun Devils in five innings.

Arizona State hasn’t played DePaul since 2010, but the two programs have their history, dating back to the 2000’s. The Sun Devils have had the upper hand historically, with a 6-1 record all-time against the Blue Demons. On Sunday, Weber State will make the trip to Tempe for its first matchup with ASU since 2019.

ASU will look to build on its success in San Diego and stay in the win column for its first batch of games at home.