Senior pitcher Kenzie Brown has treated this season as a privilege while showing her teammates the value of hard work and accountability.
The Sun Devil pitcher missed her junior season at ASU due to an ankle injury. During her recovery process, Brown worked to improve her physical and mental game.
The hard work Brown put into the recovery process has been clear in her return. Brown struck out the first five batters she faced this spring, recorded a 13-strikeout game and posted an 18-strikeout game, tied for the second most in program history.
"I'm performing, doing what I never thought I could do but always dreamed of doing," Brown said. "I think I would be a good example for the younger girls and younger pitchers that you can do it as long as you want to work hard and perform at this level."
The numbers back up Brown's position as the Sun Devils' ace. She has accumulated an impressive 1.09 ERA and just a .93 WHIP while going 12-3 this season. Brown has also tallied 158 strikeouts and even pitched five complete games.
Brown played at Tulsa before coming to ASU. Brown didn't perform how she thought she would at Tulsa, but since transferring to ASU, things have changed for the better.
Head coach Megan Bartlett describes Brown as a mature, humble and hardworking player. Bartlett applauded the effort Brown has put in to grow as an athlete after transferring from Tulsa.
"She has just done nothing but continue to get better every single day and thrive," Bartlett said.
The standard Brown has set for herself has also held her teammates accountable. By always working hard, Brown has inspired her peers to do the same.
"You set the example of always working hard, on and off the field, and you hold us accountable as well," freshman catcher Lillian Holtje said about Brown. "It doesn't just come from a place of 'do better,' but, 'do better because you're my teammate and I love you'."
Bartlett believes Brown can also communicate to younger players about the ups and downs of collegiate athletics. Brown has struggled and fought to get better, and Bartlett wants to see the same for the rest of the team.
"I think she can communicate to the young ones that this process will not be perfect, and there are going to be points that it's hard, and it's humbling, and success isn't linear," Bartlett said. "You're going to have peaks and valleys, and there are going to be some hard things you have to fight through."
After all that Brown has dealt with in her career, she now aims to create a safe environment for her teammates. She wants them to feel comfortable around her and know she supports them and is there to help. Brown wants to be a resource younger girls can learn from.
Holtje has seen the importance of working together as a team and believes the leadership of Brown and others sets the tone set for the team's underclassmen.
"[Brown] and a lot of other upperclassmen, it's a completely different way of holding each other accountable," Holtje said. "I feel like as an underclassman, it's just setting the tone for us as we continue on."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Ramirez and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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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.
