Center fielder Elizabeth Caporuscio is seen in pursuit of a pop fly at a home game. The sophomore is ranked 16th all-time at ASU for home runs. (Photo by Dominic Valente)There’s something different about ASU sophomore outfielder Elizabeth Caporuscio this year.
After a standout freshman season in which Caporuscio hit .324 with 16 home runs, she was expected to assume a star role in 2013.
Caporuscio’s sophomore season started that way, hitting a sizzling .452 in her first 20 games. However, near the end of that run, her streak of 81 consecutive starts ended when she suffered a back injury.
Caporuscio doesn’t remember how the actual injury occurred, but she was eager to get back into the lineup.
“I basically irritated the facets in my spine, and just because we practice every day, we never get a break and the inflammation has never able to go away,” Caporuscio said.
Caporuscio missed three games with the back injury, a home doubleheader March 1 and the first half of a doubleheader March 2. She returned to ASU’s lineup for the nightcap.
In her last 36 games, Caporuscio swung a .188 bat, including a .208 clip since she returned. Some of the drastic difference can be attributed to playing tougher competition, but her teammates don’t have quite the offensive discrepancy between parts of the season.
“I think it’s a combination,” Caporuscio said. “Every weekend we’ve seen tough pitching. I’m not one to be like, ‘I’m injured, like that’s why.’ I don’t want to blame it on that, because I’m still trying to go out there and try my best and get hits for the team.”
Because of her declining batting average and overall pain while hitting, running and sprinting, ASU considered giving Caporuscio an injection that could wipe out the pain.
“If we do get the injection, it’s 2-3 days off. She can’t afford to take 2-3 days off, figuring that she can come right in and play,” ASU Coach Clint Myers said after the team’s regular season finale. “She’s not playing well right now, and she’s got to get her reps, and she’s got do some things. She’s working hard trying regain her status.”
It is unclear what type of injection it is.
Contrary to Myers’s words at the time, ASU elected to give her the shot, and she said it’s worked so far.
“I actually did the injection this last week and I was out for two days,” Caporuscio said. “That is actually what makes me feel better. That’s why I’m getting better and able to run more. It was definitely worth it and I’m hoping it lasts until next week.”
Even with her improved health, Caporuscio is still struggling at the plate. In the postseason she’s hitless in nine at-bats.
Myers has elected to replace Caporuscio late in games. In all five postseason games, Myers opted for that move.
ASU hopes the injection helps get her on track; a healthy Caporuscio is an offensive force.
With the Women’s College World Series beginning May 30, ASU would like to utilize another weapon offensively to counter senior Texas pitcher Blaire Luna, who is fresh off a no-hitter.
Junior outfielder Mary Spiel, the team’s fourth outfielder, was suspended from the team for a second violation of team rules, according to The Arizona Republic.
Spiel replaced Caporuscio in regionals, and in Super Regionals, senior outfielders Becca Tikey and Kayla Ketchum each subbed in for her late.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Janssen@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @jjanssen11
