With just nine games and three opponents left in the regular season — all top-25 teams — ASU softball still has plenty to play for.
To get the opportunity to host an NCAA regional game, a team must reside in the top-16 of the rankings. ASU’s last time hosting was three seasons ago in 2014.
Now, in order to slingshot themselves into hosting position, the Sun Devils will need to perform well in what is arguably their toughest stretch of the season.
With a not-so-hot start to conference play, the Sun Devils (27-14, 6-9 Pac-12) have now proven that they can hang in the conference with strong performances as of late, including a more-than-entertaining three-game set with No. 10 Utah last weekend.
Even with an overall series loss to the Utes, ASU head coach Trisha Ford said it was the latest example of a mental grit that the team has exhibited.
“I don’t want passive, I don’t want half-way done, I want everything you got, put it on the table, be gritty," Ford said. "That’s the kind of game we want to play, and I can start to see those light bulbs going off."
Ford said her team will need to continue that mental mindset if they want to succeed against the remaining Pac-12 teams left on the schedule.
The end-of-season journey will begin with rival Arizona, which is currently ranked third in the NCAA women’s softball RPI (rating percentage index.) The RPI is a ranking system based off wins, losses and strengths of schedules which the NCAA uses to determine its seeding for postseason play.
Not only is Arizona a tough opponent, but the Sun Devils often struggle on the road, sitting at 3-6 away from home in Pac-12 play.
For the last two series of the year, ASU will feel a little more confident being able to host them at Farrington Stadium, where it holds a record of 18-4. Following the series with UA, the Sun Devils will host the No. 17 California Bears before they close with a series against the No. 6 UCLA Bruins.
A lot of players have implemented the "gritty" mindset that Ford spoke of and have succeeded as a result. Senior infielder Chelsea Gonzales has been a huge contribution to ASU’s success this season, leading the team in batting average and RBI at .372 and 41, respectively.
“Everybody goes through things, but it’s how you deal with it," Ford said. "(Chelsea) Gonzo is really good at flipping the page, for them to begin to have those conversations with their teammates and talking about what they’ve gone through and how they conquered through it helps."
Sophomore infielder Taylor Becerra is right behind Gonzales in batting average at .347 and knows the reason behind what it takes to succeed.
“Maintaining energy. It’s been a long season and we need to treat every game like it’s our last game because that’s going to make us come out hard,” Becerra said. “I think these last couple of series will be hard, but I know that we can do it.”
Ford has mentioned that although it may sound silly, she often would prefer to be down in the game early because it allows her team to never become comfortable and always fight until the final out.
ASU has three come-from-behind wins when trailing past the fifth inning, and half of its losses have been by just one run. Ford is confident that the team has adapted the gritty mindset and that it’s the key behind the Sun Devils reputation of fighting until the final out is recorded.
Miss the Walk-Off? We got you Covered!
— Sun Devil Athletics (@TheSunDevils) April 22, 2017
Emma Ramelot leads @ASUSoftball over Utah with this 3R HR! pic.twitter.com/G8oYCkxjWj
Junior starting pitchers Breanna Macha (11-6) and Dale Ryndak (7-3) have worked alongside one another developing a leadership role in the rotation. They've mentored the two freshman starters, Alyssa Loza (4-1) and Giselle Juarez (5-4) through their success this season.
It’s all been part of Ford’s plan to bring the team together mentally.
“I think we’re on the right track, we’ve accomplished most of our goals so far, just improving our softball IQ, growing all together so far mentally has been the biggest thing for us,” Macha said. “For us, to be gritty and fight back from adversity is going to be key to these tough teams.”
The tough teams that fill the Pac-12 have made it one of the top conferences in the country, but rather than have it be intimidating, it’s something that Ford embraces.
“You’re looking at eight teams that are in top 30,” Ford said. “In the Pac, there’s no slowing down, but that’s good for us – that’s why you play in the Pac.”
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