Sophomore Annie Lockwood only appeared in 14 games last season, starting just three.
When she showed up for fall practice for the ASU softball team this season, Lockwood found her name on a list of outfielders.
This didn’t make sense to her, because she was an infielder.
“I didn’t understand,” Lockwood said. “I had never played in the outfield before.”
Lockwood is now the starting right fielder for the No. 7 Sun Devils and her new role in the outfield has symbolized a greater body of changes Lockwood has experienced her sophomore season.
With a logjam in the infield and little playing time available, ASU coach Clint Myers decided to move Lockwood to the outfield.
“I don’t know why she’s still listed as an infielder [on the official ASU roster], because she’s truly an outfielder,” Myers said.
Though she said she was apprehensive at first, Lockwood embraced the role and fought for a starting spot. After coming to practices early and staying late, her hard work paid off and she got the starting nod in right.
“They just kind of threw me out there without giving me any heads up,” Lockwood said. “Every day I love it more and more.”
Junior catcher Kaylyn Castillo called Lockwood’s arm a “gun,” which Lockwood backed up against Auburn in the opening weekend of the season.
AU sophomore catcher Elizabeth Eisterhold smacked what should have been a single through the right side of the infield, but a charging Lockwood fired to first base to rob her of what would have been the team’s first hit of the season.
“She’s really done a great job adapting to a new position,” Myers said. “She’s been a great student of the game.”
More than in the field, Lockwood has impressed at the plate, surpassing all of her 2009 totals in just five games. Her 17 at-bats in the season-opening Kajikawa Classic were more than all of last season.
Lockwood finished the weekend hitting .353 with three home runs and 15 RBI.
But she didn’t stop there.
She came out swinging again in last weekend’s Littlewood Classic and essentially doubled her numbers.
Through 11 games, Lockwood is hitting .438 with 14 hits and 26 RBI, second-most on the team.
“She’s kind of like our secret weapon,” Castillo said. “Coming in under the radar this year is really going to help her a lot. She’ll really be able to get quality pitches and quality at-bats.”
Lockwood said she surprised herself with such a hot start, while Myers said she’s doing everything he expected she could.
Castillo also said she has not been surprised by the strides Lockwood has made.
“She’s always been a great hitter,” Castillo said. “We’ve just been waiting for her to step into that role.”
Myers said it all came down to Lockwood trusting her own ability and being in control emotionally.
“It’s just a simple question of whether she’s going to let [her talents] out,” Myers said. “Last year, she kind of fought herself a few times. This year, she’s more relaxed and understanding of how to let those things out.”
During the offseason, the ASU coaching staff worked with Lockwood on harnessing her emotions, improving what Lockwood said has always been her greatest challenge.
For Lockwood, emotions and on-field performance had always been intertwined. If she was doing well, she felt great. But if she struggled, she got down on herself and had trouble getting back up.
“I still need to grow more emotionally,” Lockwood said. “I’ve really taken a look at more of who I am as a person rather than a softball player.”
Working with the coaches, Lockwood was able to achieve a separation of performance and emotions. Now, Lockwood has become a significant cog in the ASU offensive machine that is producing runs at a rate greater than any season in recent memory.
“Right now, she’s the most improved player,” Myers said. “It’s amazing what a year will make.”
Castillo also praised Lockwood’s improvement and said she is providing an extra “spark” to the team.
Lockwood isn’t letting her new role as a key run producer breed complacency. She readily concedes that she still has work to do in all aspects of her game, from hitting to fielding.
“I’ve progressed well [in the outfield],” Lockwood said. “I’m not quite where I want to be yet, but I’ve made some strides out there.”
As the Sun Devils chase another Women’s College World Series appearance, Lockwood remains eager to grow and increase her contribution to the team. But more than anything, Lockwood is simply ecstatic to be getting an opportunity for a program like ASU.
“I just want to keep getting better and keep doing what I can,” Lockwood said. “I could not be happier.”
Reach the reporter at tlockman@asu.edu
