TEMPE – The Arizona State University softball team will host its annual Alumni Game on Friday, Oct. 9 at Farrington Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., beginning at 7 p.m. PT. The free event is open to all softball fans, offering a chance to get a glimpse of this season’s Sun Devil squad while also getting the opportunity to once again see ASU favorites from the past, as the two will square off against each other in a friendly competition.
This annual event is meant to be a special time for all Arizona State Softball alumni to get back to their alma mater and participate in a friendly game against the current 2015-16 Sun Devils.
This year’s game features a myriad of former standouts, including numerous WCWS National Champions that are slated to be in attendance with over 20 alumni scheduled to participate in some shape over the course of the weekend.
Fans attending will be in for a treat and the current Sun Devils will have their work cut out for them as this year’s alumni roster features one of the greatest pitchers in Sun Devil history, Dallas Escobedo and one of ASU’s greatest hitters, Amber Freeman.
Escobedo ranks second in ASU history in wins and strikeouts, respectively, with a total of 115 wins and 1,222 strikeouts within her four years at ASU. Escobedo led the Sun Devils to the title in 2011. Freeman finished her career fourth in ASU career history with 56 home runs and fifth all-time in career RBI with 197, looking to challenge the Sun Devil pitching staff.
Alongside Escobedo, the 2015 Alumni Team will feature two other prominent graduates in the form of 2008 NCAA champions Mandy Bertino (Cowles) and Kristin Brown (Miller) as well as 2008 and 2011 NCAA champion Lesley Rogers.
“It’s going to be an exciting evening for all of our fans and for our players and alumni," Nicholson said. "We have a lot of new faces on the roster this year and for them to see what it’s like to be a Sun Devil and how much it means to all our former players that come back for this occasion, it will be a special night."
Fan admission will be free of charge, with the entirety of the Sun Devil family welcome to celebrate Devils of the present as well as Devils of the past.
Other alumni hoping to join in on the festivities are encouraged to contact ASU Softball Director of Operations, Aaron Wilson, at a.d.wilson@asu.edu.
The Alumni Game is just one part of an exciting couple days of softball as the program will open it’s Fall Ball campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 7 against Scottsdale Community college followed by a highlight anticipated exhibition contest against the USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch League on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The Pride feature an elite roster of former All-Americans and will also host the talents of guest pitcher Escobedo as well as the recently departed Sun Devil and 2013 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Freeman.
All seating at the event will be general admission at a cost of $7 for all parties. Season tickets do not include this exhibition contest. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Arizona time.
Sun Devil ticket representatives will be on hand to answer any questions in regards to 2016 season tickets.
Following the game, fans will have an opportunity to participate in an autograph signing featuring both teams.
The Sun Devils have advanced to 11 consecutive postseason appearances entering this season. The 2015 squad features a roster that includes 2014 All-Pac-12 selections in sophomore pitcher Breanna Macha, junior shortstop Chelsea Gonzales and senior second baseman Nikki Girard as well as a slew of talented returners such as Jennifer Soria, Sashel Palacios, Dale Ryndak and Abby Spiel.
Season tickets are available now through the Sun Devil Ticket Office. Fans can enjoy a 2016 home schedule that features Pac-12 home series against Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Stanford as well as NCAA Tournament competitors Kentucky, Tennessee, Minnesota, Nebraska and James Madison.