Sun Devils fuel season optimism with open house scrimmage

(Photo via Julia Coyne/WCSN)

TEMPE — In an electrifying Maroon & Gold scrimmage at Farrington Stadium, ASU’s softball team dazzled, with newcomers and veterans shining brightly.

Friday night’s showcase was a clear signal: the Sun Devils are gearing up to take the new season by storm, leaving fans thrilled for what’s to come. Of course, with a new season comes new goals, and the team is striving for the top this year.

“Make it to Oklahoma City,” Head coach Megan Bartlett said. “So that’s certainly the expectation, and we’re going to grind every day to get there, but in the short term, one game at a time, one pitch at a time, and trying to stay process-oriented are the building blocks to get there.”

The rules for the scrimmage were different; five batters instead of three outs would determine each switch. Also, players were sometimes randomly placed on bases to simulate a live game situation and given multiple opportunities to bat in a single inning.

The opening inning of the scrimmage was a showcase of strategic execution and an intense atmosphere right from the start. Sophomore right-hander Kylee Magee’s stint on the mound saw a mix of resilience and strategy, highlighted by freshman infielder Libby Walsh’s strikeout.

The second inning of the scrimmage put the players’ defensive skills on display. Magee’s pitching was met with swift outs, including a notable catch off graduate utility player Audrey LeClair’s bunt and graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall’s hit. However, graduate utility player Marissa Schuld’s outfield drive broke the deadlock, bringing a runner home and advancing two bases.

After switching sides, star freshman righty Meika Lauppe’s pitching held strong with strikeouts, including a caught steal at third and efficient outs.

In the third inning, the scrimmage saw a change on the mound. Senior right-hander Mac Osborne stepped in at pitcher, delivering a series of pitches that kept the batters in check despite a double from Acuña that electrified the crowd. However, the batting side struggled to capitalize further.

When sides switched, Schuld took over pitching duties, facing a determined lineup that saw freshman outfielder Jada Lewis walk and senior infielder Kayla Lissy successfully bunt her way to first, setting the stage for senior catcher Sara Kinch’s centerfield hit to bring a runner home.

The fourth inning continued to highlight the dynamic plays the team made. Osborne maintained control in the circle again. Sophomore outfielder Tanya Windle initiated the action with a hit. Still, it was a quick out, but graduate infielder Makenzie Macfarlane capitalized on a fielding error to stretch an infield grounder into a double. Graduate infielder Alesia Denby then delivered a powerful line drive to the outfield, notching a two-base hit and driving in two runners.

“(Denby) shows up every day,” Bartlett said. “She’s calm. She’s consistent. Her teammates love her. She just gets it done. She doesn’t do a ton of talking, but she’s got an incredible glove, very good range, and a super accurate arm.”

Schuld’s pitching kept the opposition in check when the sides switched, with outfield pop-ups from LeClair and Hall efficiently caught.

“(Hall) is a bit of a glue person,” Bartlett said. “She’s got great charisma. She’s competitive, and people kind of gravitate toward her.”

Senior right-handed pitcher Deborah Jones took the mound in the fifth and final inning of the scrimmage. The inning began with Windle’s pop-up to left field and Macfarlane’s fly ball caught in right field. Denby made contact with the first pitch, but eventually, the defense picked up the out on an infield pop-up.

Sides switched, and Jones continued her pitching streak, efficiently handling pop-ups and grounders. Windle was up to bat again and managed to secure a hit and a base, bringing a spark of offense, but hits by Kinch and a walk to Walsh highlighted a mix of defensive skill and selective pitching, marking a close to the inning and the game.

There was no doubt that the primary focus for the team in this scrimmage was refining its skills and honing its strategic approaches to the game. It showcased the individual talents and improvements of the players but also emphasized the collaborative effort among the team itself.

“We’re for the players, the coaches, and we’re tight with our kids, and we love them, and we believe in them, and that’s a message they hear about every day,” Bartlett said. “That’s important to me.”