(Photo credit: Joshua Eaton/WCSN)
Following Arizona State softball’s loss to No. 18 Oklahoma State, the Sun Devils now prepare for a weekend series against Kansas.
The Sun Devils (24-13 overall, 6-6 Big 12 Conference) have dropped four of their last six conference games, including losses in their series against Arizona and Iowa State. Combine that with another loss to the Cowgirls, and the Sun Devils are in dire need of a bounce-back series.
Meanwhile, in Lawrence, the Kansas Jayhawks (16-15, 3-6 Big 12) have yet to find their footing in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks’ most recent losses were suffered at the hands of Texas Tech. The Red Raiders traveled to Kansas and dominated, outscoring the Jayhawks 27-4 in three victories.
Both of these schools are in need of a series win. The Jayhawks have a tough road ahead of them in the Big 12 with their next three series taking on ASU, Arizona, and Iowa State. ASU wants to get above .500 in Big 12 play again, and it has a prime chance to do so against a cold Jayhawks team at home.
The Sun Devils have relied heavily on senior right-hander Kenzie Brown in the circle, and for good reason. Brown has been fantastic all year. Over 100.1 innings pitched, her sparkling 1.12 ERA is the seventh best in the nation. Not to mention, she’s also thrown 167 strikeouts and opposing teams hold a miniscule .162 batting average against her. All these numbers help prove Brown’s case as one of the best pitchers in the country.
On the offensive side, junior outfielder Tanya Windle and graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall have been excellent for the Sun Devils. Windle leads the team with a .376 batting average, 47 hits and 12 doubles. Hall is the team leader in OPS (1.060), home runs (8), RBIs (38) and slugging (.629).
The Jayhawks have used a committee approach in the circle. All five of their pitchers have pitched at least 30 innings, and none have an ERA over 4.34. Their best performer on the rubber has been freshman right-hander Kaelee Washington, who has a 3.43 ERA over 49 innings pitched.
Offensively, the Jayhawks have relied on a three-headed monster at the top of their order. Junior outfielders Presley Limbaugh and Aynslee Linduff and junior infielder Hailey Cripe have been the most productive in the top spots for Kansas.
Limbaugh leads the Jayhawks in hits (37), doubles (8) and total bases (49). Cripe is the Jayhawks’ leader in RBIs (22) and HBP (7).
With these new Big 12 rivals both needing a series win within conference play, this weekend looks to be an intense three-game set.
