(Photo: Reece Andrews/WCSN)
When the 2022 season started, many thought Arizona State Softball would not be competing for the Pac-12 Championship – let alone be in the national limelight. The Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll ranked the Sun Devils fifth-best in the conference. However, after playing 42 games, Arizona State finds itself in the driver’s seat for a conference title.
The No. 5 ranked UCLA Bruins will arrive in Tempe winning seven of their last eight games and hope to get back on the right track. Last Sunday, the Bruins held a 2-0 series lead over the Utah Utes but failed to sweep after the Utes won via run rule on Sunday. UCLA has been a dominant team all season long, being a consensus top-five team in the country. Despite this, the Bruins will be playing for a Pac-12 Championship this weekend.
If Arizona State can sweep UCLA this weekend, then the Sun Devils will win the Pac-12, which would mark the first Pac-12 championship under head coach Trisha Ford. Additionally, it would be the Sun Devils’ first conference championship since 2011, yet another comparison to the 2011 National Champion team.
An Arizona State sweep is the only outcome that solidifies either team’s championship. But whoever wins this series will put themselves in control of the Pac-12.
The Bruins’ pitching staff has fueled their success this season, combining for a team ERA of 1.26. The staff leads the Pac-12 as a team, and three pitchers hold the top three ERAs by individuals in the conference.
Leading the staff is redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Megan Faraimo, who leads UCLA in innings pitched with 144. Faraimo also leads the Pac-12 in strikeouts with 229 on the season. Faraimo’s play also spans outside of the circle, as she has played first base this season and has taken 37 at-bats. In those plate appearances, she is batting .243 with six RBIs.
Leading the Bruins in the box is redshirt senior Briana Perez, who has been UCLA’s hottest bat. Perez is batting .388 on the season and can be a handful to deal with when there are runners in scoring position. She has driven in 34 runs on 52 hits and has homered nine times.
It’s safe to say Arizona State will have its hands full this weekend against a top-five team in the nation. The stakes are high, and a series win could benefit either team tremendously. The first pitch of the series will take place on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
