(Photo credit: Maya Diaz/WCSN)
ASU softball was slated to host its final Maroon and Gold scrimmage on Oct. 30. Instead, the Sun Devils opted for an open practice at Farrington Stadium.
During the fall season, the Sun Devils defeated Embry-Riddle and Phoenix College. They also split games with Grand Canyon University, finishing the fall with a record of 3-1. The Sun Devils also hosted an intrasquad scrimmage in which Team Tempe defeated Team Sparky 9-6.
During Wednesday’s practice, the Sun Devils showed off their hitting with batting practice. Throughout the session, many players showed off their ability to hit the ball out of the stadium as well as their ability to hit line drives into the outfield.
After the practice concluded, head coach Megan Bartlett and the players introduced themselves to the fans and fielded questions from the crowd.
One thing that many of the players preached during their introductions to fans was how fantastic the coaching staff was in their eyes. Many cited this as one of the main reasons why they chose to play softball at Arizona State.
“I committed my junior year … they were one of the first colleges that I spoke to, and it kind of sounds silly but [Bartlett] gave me motherly vibes,” freshman outfielder Ashleigh Meija said. “In a coach, that’s something you want because she will understand yes, it is softball but again it is more than softball, so I feel like she would understand a lot of things and mentor us as young women.
“Like I am becoming a young woman, and I feel like she’s doing a great job as a coach, teaching me how to be a great player and person, just a great example and I feel like I’m able to come to her for anything… I just knew that I would be safe here.”
It seems that this year’s Arizona State team is a tight-knit group. From the players to the coaching staff, they have the utmost belief in one another and have a strong sense of familiarity with one another.
However, one area where this year’s team will not have familiarity is in their new conference. This summer, the big talking point around Sun Devil sports was how they would fare making the transition from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big 12 Conference.
A fan asked coach Bartlett who she views as some of the tougher competition in their new conference and coach Bartlett highlighted Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Despite being aware of some of the tougher competition in the new conference, Bartlett has a ton of belief in this year’s team and their ability to hit off any pitcher.
“There will not be anybody they see that they are not prepared for,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett has faith in her team and believes that the sky will be the limit this season. Fans now have to wait until the spring to see their Sun Devils hit the field once again. While the rest of ASU’s non-conference schedule is still to be determined, the Sun Devils will open their first season of Big 12 play at their home Farrington Stadium against BYU on March 6.
