At the beginning of the ASU softball season, co-interim head coach Robert Wagner said the team's offense was going to focus on playing small ball.
With the loss of three seniors at graduation, Wagner said the team can't sit back and wait for the home runs anymore.
But as the season progresses, the tables have turned and the home run production is up and running.
The team so far has a combined total of 47 home runs, which puts them in second in the Pac-12 for team home runs.
Senior center fielder Jennifer Soria has become a power hitter for the Sun Devil offense. After only having six home runs last year, she is tied for the team lead with 10 big flies, just three weeks into Pac-12 play.
"We're still relying on execution and getting the ball in play," Soria said. "But when those home runs happen, they're really helpful."
In last weekend's matchup against the California Golden Bears, Soria knocked four home runs out of the park and helped lead the team to a series win.
Her outstanding performance in the series against California resulted in her being voted Player of the Week by the Pac-12 Conference.
Junior shortstop Chelsea Gonzales also leads the offense with 10 home runs so far this season.
Gonzales was a big home run contributor last season, jacking 11 home runs total. Her powerful bat has been displayed multiple times this season.
Being in the power slot of the lineup, Gonzales said she likes the way the offense has been meshing and producing for the team.
"I like the slap hitters being up at the top of the lineup," Gonzales said. "They get the job done and they get on base, so it makes our job easy when trying to bring them around."
The Sun Devils produced 81 home runs in the 2015 season. But the team lost three of those top home run hitters this year because of graduation.
With the season only halfway through, Gonzales thinks the team could come close to reaching that home run number or even pass it.
"I think any one on the team is capable of hitting home runs," Gonzales said. "So it is definitely a challenge for us."
Reach the reporter at lmbrunet@asu.edu or follow @Leah_brunette on Twitter.
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