With three home tournaments in the rear-view mirror, the No. 5 ASU softball team is beginning to look a bit more comfortable at home.
However, the Sun Devils (21-2) are still looking for consistency as they have had some difficulty disposing of inferior competition.
“There is always stuff to work on,” coach Clint Myers said. “We are getting closer and we’re showing bright spots. This weekend will test us a little bit.”
The Diamond Devil Invitational will be the final home tournament before the team enters conference play.
Headlining this weekend will be Saturday’s game against Pacific, which has a couple qualifying wins this season against Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.
Last year, the Sun Devils escaped against Pacific winning 4–3 in the Judi Garman Classic en route to the program’s second national championship.
In that game, the Sun Devils were led by then-junior shortstop Katelyn Boyd and freshman Alix Johnson whom each had two hits.
This year, Boyd and Johnson are leading the team again. However, Boyd’s output is beginning to put her close to uncharted territory.
After a seven RBI game against Creighton on Tuesday, Boyd is only 28 RBI behind senior Katie Cochran from having the most in ASU school history.
“Katelyn has had the opportunity to drive in runs for four years, and she has done a great job with it,” Myers said. “She is a great athlete. We just hope that she continues to blossom, grow and perform because she is a key part to our ball club.”
Boyd is one of five Sun Devils batting over .400. The other four, including Johnson, are underclassmen.
The even more frightening development for opponents is freshman Elizabeth Caporuscio. She is hitting .438 and says she is figuring out what it takes to play Division I softball.
“Every weekend, I feel more and more comfortable,” Caporuscio said. “I’m getting more used to managing my time, since we practice all the time. Just fitting everything in is getting a lot easier.”
The gelling of the younger players will play a vital role in the success of the team this year, as five underclassmen have started 10 games.
Freshman Amber Freeman and sophomore Lucy Aubrecht have been competing for the starting catcher spot in the lineup. Both have played well and gave Myers the luxury to let things play out.
“Amber’s young, and we are not going to wear her out,” Myers said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ll take care of our kids and make the decision at the end.”
Sophomore Bailey Wigness is in two position battles. Wigness, who played games at left field at the beginning of the season, is also trying her hand at third base.
“It definitely keeps me on my toes,” Wigness said. “I’ve got to make sure I’m checking the lineup to see where I’m at. Sometimes it’s difficult, but I have prepared there every practice, so it’s not a big deal.”
ASU plays Valparaiso and East Carolina on Friday before finishing their weekend against Pacific on Saturday and New Mexico State on Sunday.
Reach the reporter at jjmckelv@asu.edu
Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
