(Photo via Marina Williams/WCSN)
On Wednesday, the Arizona State Sun Devils will be in San Diego to play a doubleheader against the Toreros in which the team will take a break from its Pac-12 Conference slate.
Heading into Wednesday’s games, the Devils (17-14, 2-7 Pac-12 ) are fresh off a three-game losing streak after a series against the Oregon Ducks. The Devils also lost a series against Oregon State the week prior.
Right now, conference play is the Devils’ Achilles heel. But this week, the Devils will take a much-needed break from their conference opponents as the Toreros (9-25) are part of the West Coast Conference. A reset could be what the Devils need to get back on track before facing some of their most formidable rivals yet this season.
In the past, the Devils have won against the Toreros in eight of their last nine matchups. The previous two times the teams met, the Devils won by nearly ten runs in both games. Their only loss against the Toreros was in 2015 by a mere two runs.
In addition, the Toreros are also coming off a tough weekend, losing a three-game series against Weber State. Despite the loss, the Toreros could have the potential to turn their fate around when they face the Sun Devils. This season, ASU has played much better softball in Farrington Stadium. The Devils are 1-5 in away games, indicating struggles when playing on unfamiliar fields.
Offensive prowess will be critical in taking home the win for the Sun Devils. ASU’s batting average of .311 is significantly higher than its opponents’ .251, so aggressiveness at the plate could put the Devils ahead.
The Devils’ speed on the base path is another tool they can use to their advantage. ASU is 54-for-60 when it comes to successfully stealing bases. The Devils have proven themselves notoriously hard to catch off guard when they steal. If the Devils can get runners into scoring position without wasting outs, they can put themselves in an excellent position to take the lead early in the game.
In terms of pitching, the Sun Devils also have the upper hand. With an ERA of 3.96, the Devils are in good shape compared to the Toreros’ ERA of 5.70. The Sun Devils have struggled in the circle this season, but despite being 3-7 in their last 10 games, they’ve only given up more than fiv runs twice.
Overall, the Devils statistically, have the advantage. If they can get early base hits, and put pressure on the Torero defense by stealing bases, the Sun Devils can put themselves in a position to take and early lead as they have in games prior. If the Devils can rack up some runs early in the game by employing their offensive strategies, they can focus on supporting their pitching staff to take home a pair of much-needed wins.
