TEMPE, Ariz - Arizona State University softball is scheduled to begin it's fall schedule with a mid-week matchup against Phoenix College at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Farrington Stadium.
ASU, the winningest Pac-12 program in the last decade, will be led through the fall schedule by first-year head coach, Trisha Ford, who joined the ASU staff this past summer.
"We sat down with each individual player before we started this fall to chat a bit about where they come from," Ford said. "We wanted to know what their home life was like, why they chose ASU and just get to know them before we really got started on the field. It was neat to hear all of their stories and for them to share their experience with us. That really opened the door for us to better understand how to coach them. As far as the preparation of the team, we are about half way there. We will be starting to implement some of our defensive set ups in the next week or so and have started some of our other team defense work. The great thing about this team is we have multiple players that can play multiple positions. I am excited to see who turns 'on' when the lights go on."
The Sun Devils will receive their first test in the Ford era in a matchup against crosstown opponent, Phoenix College. The Bears topped the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) in 2016 season with an impressive, 41-6-1, record that included an eye-popping 27-game unbeaten streak. In that streak, the Bears held 16 opponents to less than one run, including 11 shutouts.
The Bears led the ACCAC in numerous statistical categories in their 2016 campaign including runs (626), hits (774), home runs (127) and batting average hitting at a .420 clip.
"We are at the point in our fall season where it is time to play against another opponent," added Ford. "We have some of our system in place and it's time for our team to go out and play. Getting the opportunity to face a defending conference champion will only help us prepare for spring season."
Looking at the home side, ASU is fresh off their 12th-consecutive postseason appearance that saw the Sun Devils fall to No. 10 LSU in the regional final in Baton Rouge. The Sun Devils return 18 letterwinners from the 2016 roster, including 14 Sun Devils who combined to lead the prolific Pac-12 Conference in fielding percentage a year ago.
All fall softball games at Farrington Ballpark will be free to the public. Keep up with the team all season long by following Sun Devil Softball on the team's official Twitter page, @ASUSoftball.
ASU, the winningest Pac-12 program in the last decade, will be led through the fall schedule by first-year head coach, Trisha Ford, who joined the ASU staff this past summer.
"We sat down with each individual player before we started this fall to chat a bit about where they come from," Ford said. "We wanted to know what their home life was like, why they chose ASU and just get to know them before we really got started on the field. It was neat to hear all of their stories and for them to share their experience with us. That really opened the door for us to better understand how to coach them. As far as the preparation of the team, we are about half way there. We will be starting to implement some of our defensive set ups in the next week or so and have started some of our other team defense work. The great thing about this team is we have multiple players that can play multiple positions. I am excited to see who turns 'on' when the lights go on."
The Sun Devils will receive their first test in the Ford era in a matchup against crosstown opponent, Phoenix College. The Bears topped the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) in 2016 season with an impressive, 41-6-1, record that included an eye-popping 27-game unbeaten streak. In that streak, the Bears held 16 opponents to less than one run, including 11 shutouts.
The Bears led the ACCAC in numerous statistical categories in their 2016 campaign including runs (626), hits (774), home runs (127) and batting average hitting at a .420 clip.
"We are at the point in our fall season where it is time to play against another opponent," added Ford. "We have some of our system in place and it's time for our team to go out and play. Getting the opportunity to face a defending conference champion will only help us prepare for spring season."
Looking at the home side, ASU is fresh off their 12th-consecutive postseason appearance that saw the Sun Devils fall to No. 10 LSU in the regional final in Baton Rouge. The Sun Devils return 18 letterwinners from the 2016 roster, including 14 Sun Devils who combined to lead the prolific Pac-12 Conference in fielding percentage a year ago.
All fall softball games at Farrington Ballpark will be free to the public. Keep up with the team all season long by following Sun Devil Softball on the team's official Twitter page, @ASUSoftball.
| DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 19 | Phoenix College | Tempe, Ariz. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 22 | Cal State Fullerton | Fullerton, Calif. | TBA |
| Oct. 26 | Scottsdale CC | Tempe, Ariz. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Oct. 29 | Mesa CC | Tempe, Ariz. | 12:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 5 | Yavapi College | Tempe, Ariz. | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 5 | South Mountain CC | Tempe, Ariz. | 3:30 p.m. |