The ASU softball team may have to start the season without one of its top returners and cleanup hitter. Following an offseason team rules violation, junior third baseman
Krista Donnenwirth’s status is still up in the air.
Her indefinite suspension has been lifted and she is practicing with the team, but ASU athletics administration has yet to rule on whether or not she will be suspended to start the regular season.
In 2009, Donnenwirth batted .322 with 9 homeruns and 47 RBI, third most on the team.
Starting with Uncertainty
With about three weeks until the season-opening Kajikawa Classic, coach Clint Myers said he doesn’t have a starting lineup yet.
It’s almost certain that sophomore Katelyn Boyd will start at shortstop and junior Lesley Rogers will start in the outfield, but there is strong competition at every other position, Myers said.
Prior to Pac-10 play, the starting lineup could see plenty of shuffling to find the right combination.
Filling the void
The Sun Devils return seven starters, but the graduation of outfielder Kaitlin Cochran leaves a hole to fill at the plate.
Cochran led the team offensively in 2009 with a .410 batting average, 20 homeruns and 59 RBI.
Despite the loss of Cochran, Myers is confident that his team could be even better this season.
“If we do the things we’re capable of, this team could go a long way,” Myers said. “We know what we have to do to get those things done.”
Bach to Business
Sophomore pitcher Hillary Bach broke out in her freshman season, finishing 31-11 for the third-highest win total of all Pac-10 pitchers. Myers said he expects an even bigger year from Bach.
“We’re expecting her to step right in and pick up where she left off and keep growing as an individual and a pitcher,” Myers said.
Bach said she hopes to learn from the mistakes she made last season to improve her overall game. Despite her stellar individual season for the Sun Devils, Bach remains focused on the team as a whole.
“I know there’s endless potential for myself and the team,” Bach said. “I can’t put a limit on where we make it, but I have expectations for only the best.”
Also taking the mound for the Sun Devils this season will be senior Megan Elliot, who won 10 games in 2009. Myers said Samantha Parlich, a freshman who pitched for two state championship teams at Basha High School in Chandler, could also see significant playing time early in the season.
Reach the reporter at tlockman@asu.edu
