Sun Devil softball's standout sophomore outfielder Yannixa Acuña is likely out for the season due to an undisclosed injury.
Acuña appeared in 25 games during her freshman season, typically entering the game as a pinch-runner or hitter. This year, the Tucson native has been a vital team member, influencing multiple wins at the beginning of the season.
Although Arizona State's season is only halfway over, Acuña saw a substantial increase in production across the board.
Last year, Acuña did not start any games for the Sun Devils, but this year, she was in the lineup for all but two games. This season, she hit the first home run of her collegiate career against New Mexico State, and despite accumulating zero RBIs a season ago, she tallied 12 this season.
Her standout game this year came against St. Thomas on Feb. 9. She put on an offensive clinic to help the Sun Devils earn a 9-4 over the Tommies, finishing with a double, triple, and stolen base.
Early this season, Sun Devil head coach Megan Bartlett raved about Acuña's progression in the offseason. She said she worked "really, really" hard to improve her game and added 10-15 pounds of muscle.
The injury was seemingly sustained in Friday night's 5-3 loss to Oregon State.
Acuña was subbed out after fielding a ground ball in the outfield and missed the remainder of the weekend's games against the Beavers.
After losing the first two matchups, ASU prevailed in a 5-1 win over the Beavers Sunday afternoon.
ASU softball currently has a 17-11 overall record and a 2-4 conference record, but the team still has a lot to play for, as the best is yet to come in Pac-12 play.
With postseason play looming, the Sun Devils will now journey to face some of their stiffest opponents in the latter stage of the season with series against Oregon, Stanford and their cross-state rivals UA on the horizon, without one of their key players.
Some critical wins against Pac-12 foes could potentially realign the Sun Devils from the bottom of the conference to a much more favorable position heading into the Pac-12 tournament.
On Friday, Pac-12 play continues when softball heads to Eugene, Oregon, to kick off a series against the 16-10 Ducks at Jane Sanders Stadium.
"This is a great conference, right?" graduate outfielder Kelsey Hall said. "You can't take any game for granted."
Edited by Alysa Horton, Angelina Steel and Caera Learmonth.
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