With the 2016 season right around the corner, the team is trying to redeem itself after the graduation of five senior offensive leaders and the resignation of head coach Craig Nicholson.
Nicholson's resignation left an opening that split up the coaching duties between two co-interim coaches. Robert Wagner returns for his second season at ASU and will work next to Letty Olivarez, who will be entering her first season with the Sun Devils, and will also serve as the pitching coach.
Wagner focused this offseason on recovering from the loss of the seniors, particularly Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Amber Freeman. Freeman hit .436 with 79 hits and 15 home runs, which was the most on the team.
Wagner recognizes that their game style has to change.
“We're going to be asking the people who played last year to kind of step up and do a little more than they’ve done in the past," he said. "We’re not going to be able to sit back and wait for the home run anymore, we're going to have to force the issue a little bit and be a little bit more aggressive on the bases."
Junior shortstop Chelsea Gonzalez posed improved numbers last year, hitting 11 home runs and 41 RBIs.
“Our team has been working hard, especially hitting wise," Gonzalez said. "Coach Wagner has been getting us more confident, and we're just having fun at practice.”
She said the confidence has translated to defense. Gonzalez was voted ASU Defensive Player of the Year by her teammates in the 2015 season.
“Last year I came in very nervous being only a sophomore," she said. "Coming in this year, I’ve been learning to relax more and just play the game.”
The Sun Devils have a lot of tournaments in the upcoming month to show what they have been working on over the offseason. They'll begin their season against Utah State and San Jose State, doubleheader style, on Thursday, Feb. 11 in the Kajikawa Classic at Farrington Stadium in Tempe.
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Sun Devil Snapshot: Jordan Masters makes history, three ASU squads sweep weekend
Reach the reporter at lmbrunet@asu.edu or follow @Leah_brunette on Twitter.
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