Pitching wins championships. Hitting wins games.
Through nine games, the ASU softball team's pitching staff has done its part, holding opponents to a 1.13 ERA and a .207 batting average. That helps explain why the Sun Devils are off to a 7-2 start.
ASU's hitting has been another story.
The Sun Devils have a .278 batting average. They are averaging 3.38 runs but have struggled to score at the most opportune times.
On Friday, ASU managed just one hit in a 2-0 loss to Iowa, wasting freshman left-hander Katie Burkhart's three-hit, five-strikeout performance.
"We just did not adjust to their pitching," ASU coach Linda Wells said. "When we did threaten, we just weren't there in executing to get something going."
The Sun Devils had runners on second the first two innings but were unable to advance them past third. They have stranded 50 runners, including seven against Iowa.
ASU's only hit against Iowa came in the second, when sophomore first baseman Sharee Zaleski stroked a leadoff single. The Sun Devils struck out six times.
Wells said her team's hitting must improve to ensure a successful season.
"I'm concerned with the inability of the team to hear an adjustment, and then make it at the plate," Wells said. "It's something we have to work on."
Not all of ASU's hitters are struggling.
Freshman infielder Mindy Cowles has six of ASU's nine home runs and 15 of the team's 39 RBIs. Senior outfielder Valerie Sevilla is second on the team with two home runs and six RBIs.
Wells said her team's inability to string together quality at-bats worries her.
"I'm not concerned with our power," she said. "I'm concerned with the support they're getting. We do not consistently hit through the lineup."
Zaleski has stepped up this season. She is third on the team with five RBIs and a home run.
"I had a slow start last year," Zaleski said. "I'm definitely impressed with what I have now. I'm hitting somewhat like the way I used to hit before I came here. I'm expecting myself to be very successful, to see the ball and hit the ball when I get a good pitch."
The Sun Devils will get a chance to improve their hitting this weekend in the Palm Springs Classic. They're scheduled to play five games in the three-day tournament, the first of which will be against Long Island at
10:30 a.m. Friday.
Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu.
