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Softball: ASU opens Pac-10 with California, Stanford


Getting picked last is never fun, but it can be motivating.

After being selected to finish last in the Pac-10 by conference coaches at the beginning of the season, the No. 18 ASU softball team finally gets the chance to silence its preseason critics when it opens conference play at Farrington Stadium this weekend.

Proving doubters wrong could be a difficult task as ASU faces No. 3 California at 7 tonight and No. 6 Stanford at 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

WHAT'S ON DECK

WHEN: 7 p.m. today vs. California

7 p.m. Saturday vs. Stanford

1 p.m. Sunday vs. Stanford

WHERE: Farrington Stadium

ASU UPDATE: The Sun Devils (25-7) haven't played since losing in the quarterfinals of the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif. on March 19. Freshman infielder Mindy Cowles and sophomore first baseman Sharee Zaleski hope to keep their momentum going at the plate, where they lead the Pac-10 with 10 home runs apiece. Freshman left-hander Katie Burkhart is third in the conference with an ERA of 0.64.

CALIFORNIA UPDATE: The Golden Bears (29-3) have won six in a row. In the preseason coaches poll, they were selected as the favorite to win the Pac-10 this season. Coach Diane Ninemire was a coach for the 2004 Greek Olympic National Team with ASU coach Linda Wells.

STANFORD UPDATE: The Cardinal (24-5) lead the Pac-10 in several offensive categories, including total bases, home runs, triples, doubles, RBIs and slugging percentage. Junior outfielder Shoney Hixson is the sister of ASU sophomore utility player Himmita Hixson. Stanford leads the conference defensively with 10 double plays.

"Since they're above us in the standings, I think it will really show people what we're all about this year if we come out and play well," ASU sophomore utility player Himmita Hixson said. "It's going to be a big deal this weekend."

Last season, ASU (25-7) finished last in the conference going 3-17 in Pac-10 play. It lost all six of its games against the two Bay Area schools, getting blown out 38-6.

But last season is over.

In a non-conference battle on March 13, ASU defeated then-No. 2 California 1-0 in the championship game of the National Invitational Softball Tournament.

California (29-3) holds a 53-34 all-time series advantage over ASU. ASU is 28-16 all-time against Stanford (24-5).

ASU coach Linda Wells said that nothing comes easy in the Pac-10.

"I think that we definitely have some confidence with the win over Cal," Wells said. "But I think we know that every Pac-10 team is strong. We're a strong team, so I think we just expect to get up there and go toe to toe with each and every team and do the best that we can."

For ASU to start conference play on the right foot, it will have to improve its performance at the plate. The Sun Devils are batting a Pac-10 low .272 on the season.

California and Stanford are each batting .315 this season, tied for second in the conference.

Wells said that ASU's bunting has to come through.

"One of the few disappointments I've had this season is our inability to sometimes just put a bunt down on the ground," Wells said. "I think both sides of our bunt game are where we needed attention and we've tried to focus our attention on that. We have to be ready to bunt and ready to defend the bunt."

California's pitching staff is third in the conference with an ERA of 1.01. ASU is just behind, holding opponents to an average of 1.02 earned runs a game, while Stanford has an ERA of 1.62.

ASU freshman infielder Mindy Cowles said she liked her team's chances.

"I can't wait," Cowles said. "I'm excited to play all of the good teams. If we all play together and play to the best of our ability we can do anything."

Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu.


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