(Photo by Nicholas Badders/ WCSN)
Arizona State will look to respond this weekend against top ranked UCLA after they were swept by in-state rival Arizona. ASU lost to No. 11 Arizona 8-0 in back-to-back games. This weekend, the Sun Devils will face their biggest test yet, as the Bruins will look to extend their 16 game winning streak this weekend in Tempe.
The Sun Devils are facing their most challenging part of the season, as they now face three Pac-12 teams ranked in the Top 10 nationally. Their biggest challenge comes this weekend against No. 1 UCLA.
The Sun Devils came into the Arizona series leading the nation in scoring, at just under 9 runs a game, but the team collapsed against the Wildcats, as they were shut out in the three-game set.
Junior pitcher Samantha Mejia comes in to this series with a 3.58 ERA on the season, while freshman pitcher Abby Andersan leads the team with the lowest ERA at 3.50. The Devils faltered this weekend in the pitching circle, as this pitching duo struggled to shut down a high-octane Wildcats offense.
This weekend, the Sun Devil pitching staff will have to deal with UCLA freshman Kelli Godin, who ranks second in the nation, hitting .515 on the season.
Despite the tough schedule and opponent, Arizona State is still very confident they can compete with a powerful UCLA team. Senior outfielder Skylar McCarty and junior catcher Maddi Hackbarth will both provide important veteran leadership in the field and in the batter’s box to ensure their team is ready to bounce back strong.
“Understanding that life is full of challenges, life is full of failure… but this team is going to bounce back,” head coach Trish Ford said.
Ford said her team will be ready to play the Bruins as they worked hard on hitting and understanding their strike zone. The Sun Devils offense hit a snag last weekend, but the athletes firmly believe they will bounce back strong on their home field this weekend.
“The team is excited, it is a great opportunity to face the number one team, see what they are all about, see what we are all about,” Maddi Hackbarth said. “I think that we have battled and found who we are.”
Ford has dubbed Hackbarth one of the leaders of the team this season being the “unifying” presence her team has needed in the biggest moments. Now, the moment is bigger than ever, as the Bruins march into Farrington only allowing about 1 run per game.
The series gets started tonight at 5 p.m. at Farrington Stadium.
