Throughout the first 10 games of the 2011 season, the ASU softball team has benefited from strong pitching and an explosive lineup.
The No. 8 Sun Devils (9-1) are seeking to put it all together into a complete performance in their three-game series against Michigan State this weekend.
After competing in tournaments the previous two weekends, ASU will take a week off from tournament play and host the Spartans (7-3).
The Sun Devils look to extend their five game winning streak against a challenging MSU.
“I think they’re a good ball club,” ASU coach Clint Myers said. “We’ve got to come out and take care of business. We can’t worry about how good they are. We’ve got to continue to work on how good we are. If we get good pitching, good defense and good hitting, you have a much better chance at winning.”
The Sun Devil bats have been red-hot of late as they run ruled their opponent in each of the last four games.
At the center of the offensive output was junior shortstop Katelyn Boyd, who posted an outstanding .900 batting average in last weekend’s Littlewood Classic. Boyd smacked three home runs and five hits in the two games on Sunday alone.
“I was just very comfortable,” Boyd said. “Just working on being aggressive, if that first pitch is there, jump on it. I just work on it in practice, work on my swing, work on the sequence and keep that same mentality throughout the week.”
Helping Boyd carry the load will be junior outfielder Talor Haro, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak into tonight’s game.
While ASU has certainly seen its fair share of success at the plate so far this season, the Spartans look to counter with a couple of big bats of their own.
MSU senior outfielder Jessica Bracamonte is off to a strong start in the batter’s box and is hitting .433 with seven runs and six RBIs.
Then senior shortstop Lindsey Hansen has picked up where she left off in 2010, when she led MSU in several offensive categories, including batting average, hits and home runs.
In 2011, Hansen has posted a .345 batting average, and is a threat to put one over the fence with four home runs so far.
ASU freshman Dallas Escobedo figures to step into the circle as the starting pitcher Friday, and she owns a 6-0 record on the young season.
In her most recent outing, Escobedo hurled two perfect innings while striking out six and allowing only one walk.
With that outing, she possesses a 1.79 ERA while holding opponents to a .175 batting average.
The Spartans, however, have strong pitching of their own. Freshman Cassee Layne is certain to see time in the circle this weekend.
The right-hander was recently named Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week after tossing not one, but two complete game shutouts against Saint Louis and Villanova.
Last time out, Layne suffered a loss at the hands of South Carolina as she surrendered four runs on four hits.
In order to continue their hot hitting, the Sun Devils have prepared for MSU’s pitching all week long.
“We prepare during practice,” freshman outfielder Alix Johnson said. “If coach knows about a pitcher, whether she’s a rise ball thrower, drop ball, we will work on a lot of that stuff in practice. That’ll definitely help us in the game, and just have the right mindset up at the plate and don’t think too much and attack your pitch.”
The outcome of this weekend’s three game series could largely hinge on how ASU performs at the plate.
“I’m hoping it carries over,” Myers said. “It makes coaching a lot easier when you’re swinging the bats good. That’s why we schedule these games and play good competition so we can be tested. We know that in the Pac-10 we are going to see good pitching every single day.”
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
FRIDAY’S GAME
Spartans at No. 8 Sun Devils
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Farrington Stadium
MSU update: The Spartans have had a decent start to the season, with the only blip being a loss to unranked South Carolina. MSU also benefits from experience with 10 upperclassmen on its roster.
