Then-Freshman pitcher Alexis Cooper steps forward with her foot as she pitches during the Kajikawa Classic. The softball
team looks to extended their undefeated record this weekend.
(Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)
The preliminary stages of ASU softball's season are over, and all eyes will be on Tempe Thursday for the opening tournament of the 2015 regular season: The Kajikawa Classic. Eighty-one games, 31 teams, and four days of non-stop softball await for one of the biggest collegiate tournaments in the country.
No. 16 ASU stares down two doubleheaders on Thursday and Friday, a single game on Saturday, and then one more doubleheader on Sunday. Of ASU's seven opponents in the tournament, not a single one is ranked in the USA Today/NFCA preseason top 25.
Thursday, Feb. 5
ASU vs. Creighton - 4:30 p.m.
The Bluejays finished 29-24 (10-10 Big East) last season. Creighton's top batter returning from its 2014 roster is senior shortstop Liz Dike, who finished fourth on the team in batting average (.259). The team returns only one member of its pitching staff from last season, sophomore Kassidy Kingsley, who appeared in one game.
ASU vs. Western Michigan - 7 p.m.
The Broncos finished 17-34 (8-14 MAC) last season. Western Michigan returns its top three batters in junior Melissa Palmer (.345), sophomore Kelsea Cichocki (.339), and senior Jenny Rohn (.320). The team returns both of its two starting pitchers from last season in sophomore Erin Binkowski and junior Allyson Kus.
Friday, Feb. 6
ASU vs. San Diego - 4:30 p.m.
The Toreros finished 26-21 (10-5 WCC) last season. San Diego returns five of its top seven batters, losing center fielder Dana Prelsnik and shortstop Kylie Ordos. 2015 will be a year of transition for the Toreros' pitching staff as junior Grace Hernandez and sophomore Megan Sabbatini move from reserve roles to full-time starters on the bump.
ASU vs. Ole Miss - 7 p.m.
The Rebels finished 22-31 (3-21 SEC) last season. Ole Miss returns top-tier hitters in senior Allison Brown (.338 batting average) and junior Haley Culley (.301) but loses RT Cantillo (.424/.522/.556). As far as pitching is concerned, the Rebels return one starter in sophomore Emily Gaitan, who had a 3.93 ERA last year.
Saturday, Feb. 7
ASU vs. Indiana - 7 p.m.
The Hoosiers finished 17-39-1 (5-18 Big Ten) last season. Indiana returns its best slugger, junior Kassi Farmer, but loses its top two base stealers in Breanna Saucedo and Jenna Abraham, who combined for 27 steals last year. The team has the advantage of returning its top pitcher, senior Lora Olson, but her numbers aren't impressive (8-17 record with a 3.98 ERA).
Sunday, Feb. 8
ASU vs. Texas - 11:30 a.m.
The Longhorns finished 35-23 (12-6 Big 12) last season en route to a berth in the regional round of the postseason, where Texas was bested by Louisiana-Lafayette 10-1 in the third of a three-game series. The team returns junior Lindsey Stephens who slugged an astonishing .753 last season to go along with 16 home runs. Texas brings back all four of its starting pitchers from last year's team as well.
ASU vs. Cal State Northridge - 2 p.m.
The Matadors finished 31-26 (8-13 Big West) last season. CSUN returns two players who had phenomenal freshman seasons in sophomores Taylor Glover and Katie Hooper, who were first and third respectively in batting average and first and second respectively in slugging percentage last year. CSUN, much like Texas, brings back all of its starting pitchers in 2015.
Reach the reporter at rclarke6@asu.edu or on Twitter @RClarkeASU.
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