(Photo via Nicole Mullen/WCSN)
TEMPE — Following an offseason marked by significant roster changes, Arizona State Softball returned to Farrington Stadium Wednesday night for its fall ball debut against Central Arizona.
The Sun Devils Dominated Central Arizona in a 22-2 victory that saw a three-inning no-hitter, eight home runs, and the debut of Arizona State’s new three-headed monster.
Head coach Megan Bartlett brought in 11 new players for the 2024 ASU softball season after Bartlett’s debut season in 2023 marked the first time ASU softball posted a record under .500 since 1994.
The transfer class was headlined by 2023 Mountain West Player of the Year graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall from Boise State and Fresno State graduate infielder transfer Alesia Denby. Wednesday night, the two powerhouses joined graduate infielder Jordyn VanHook in the heart of the lineup and gave Sun Devil fans a first glimpse at their talent.
But it was sophomore outfielder and Utah Tech transfer Tanya Windle who led off the fall season opener for the Sun Devils. In her first at-bat, Windle hit a ball into straightaway left field for a double. After a pitch hit Denby, VanHook cleared the bases with a three-run blast to send the Sun Devils out in front 3-0.
“If we are the toughest team to strike out in the country, we are hard to beat,” Bartlett said. “We are trying to lead the league in doubles, and in Farrington, that can also mean leading in home runs.”
In total, VanHook hit three home runs in the fall ball opener, showcasing the same power that left fans marveling at her 19 home runs last season en route to becoming the 2023 Pac-12 Conference home run leader.
“A lot of people are coming at me differently this year,” VanHook said. “I have to stay true to myself.”
The Sun Devils starting pitcher, junior righty Kenzie Brown, was untouchable on the mound. Through three innings, Brown faced 10 batters, striking out nine and walking one. Following Brown’s successful outing, senior right-handed pitcher Mac Osborne took the reins in the fourth inning.
“I leaned into my hard work this summer and my teammates,” Brown said. “It is easy to be successful when you have a great group of girls behind you. I trust them as much as they trust me. “
Osborne started her night on the mound with back-to-back walks. Then, a fielder’s choice put runners at the corners before an errant throw from the catcher to second would bring in the Vaqueras’ first run in the top of the fourth. After allowing the run, Osborne worked herself out of trouble and kept the Vaqueras’ offense silent during the rest of her trip in the circle.
The Devils eventually turned the lineup back over to Windle for the third time in just four innings as ASU prepared to mount its second rally of the night.
Freshman catcher Samantha Swan led off with a double, followed by two sacrifices and a run scored. After the run, Denby clobbered a home run past the center field wall, showing just how valuable she can be for the Sun Devils’ offense.
The Devils pressed on after the homerun, scoring two more runs on a two-RBI double from graduate pitcher Marissa Schuld, increasing the score to 8-1.
ASU’s hitting reached its peak form in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the lineup generated a four-home run, nine-run inning. Sophomore infielder Ayden Allen spearheaded the rally, smashing two home runs in two at-bats in the same inning.
Another landmark moment for Sun Devil fans was the fall debut of freshman right-handed pitcher Meika Lauppe. Lauppe took the mound in the top of the fifth inning, allowing just one run, one hit and three walks in her two innings of work.
Bartlett described Lauppe as a tall, powerful and talented pitcher that Bartlett is excited to have as part of this revamped Sun Devil roster.
Despite several new additions to the roster, Bartlett maintained the core of the Sun Devils pitching rotation, and with the help of assistant coach Jeremy Manley, Bartlett believes the rotation will take a step forward and compete on the national level.
“Coach Manley puts his all into developing us as pitchers,” Brown said. “He was the best in the world for five years, so he is easy to trust.”
With Wednesday’s win, Bartlett got to see several of her key transfers and returning stars in action. Between VanHook, Denby and other impactful players, the core of Sun Devil Softball hopes to bring ASU back into national contention, and it all starts with accomplishing a string of dominant fall performances like Wednesday night.
