Driving the mentality of the ASU softball team is the question, “What is the most important pitch?”
Heading into the 2025 season with a large freshman class, head coach Megan Bartlett is tasked with building a strong team mentality alongside her veterans. The Sun Devils are prioritizing their physical and mental wellbeing while facing the challenges that come with a 53-game regular season.
For one, freshman outfielder Ashleigh Mejia is absorbing what she's hearing in the locker room.
"The next pitch is the most important pitch, is what we have been preaching in the clubhouse," Mejia said.
Well into her first college season, long weekends filled with games tiring the body and mind have taught Mejia to learn from mistakes rather than let them weigh on her.
"Mistakes will happen but as long as we do not let that same mistake affect us in the next at-bat, next fielding, or whatever we get, I think we will be fine," Mejia said. "Staying locked in on the plan, one foot in front of the other, baby steps."
A key element for the Sun Devils' plan this season has been building a strong team mentality. The upperclassmen have been the driving factor behind the tactic.
Freshman catcher Lillian Holtje has seen the benefit in her veteran teammates stepping into leadership roles.
"In the fall they took charge and really took all the freshmen in," Holtje said. "If we needed something, they were always there. So it’s been huge."
Despite coming into this season as a transfer from San Diego State, senior utility player AJ Murphy hasn't hesitated to step up as a leader for the younger women in the clubhouse. Murphy wants the younger athletes to play every pitch and game hard but she also wants them to remember to have fun.
"I think it's been good, we have been growing together, closer as a team," Murphy said. "Building off it, if we lose, how do we bounce back? If we win, how do we keep that going? Just building as a team, because we are really young, so showing the younger girls that the loss is okay."
It takes grit and the desire to win for the Sun Devils to bounce back from a loss, win a game and go on a hot streak. This is something Mejia has learned from teammates and coaches.
"[I'm] just wanting to win and want to get a job done," Mejia said. "That is something I valued a lot my first year being here, and something we are taught. Just having grit and just attacking what we are hunting."
The team is currently sitting at a 10-5 overall record, with their most recent 5-1 victory won on Feb. 23 against New Mexico State.
Bartlett has a talented group of freshmen but she still challenges them to keep pushing and working hard.
"They are young, and they are talented," Bartlett said. "They are working their tails off, certainly, but the best thing I think we can do is not let them off the hook, right? This is what it takes to compete at an elite level. This is what it means to be a Sun Devil."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Ramirez and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @charcharo27 on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Char is a sophomore studying sports journalism. This is her first semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
