Sun Devil Athletics
HomeHome
Loading

Sun Devils to Host Nebraska For Three-Game Series

Nebraska Notes Opens in a new window ASU Notes Opens in a new window
Sun Devils to Host Nebraska For Three-Game SeriesSun Devils to Host Nebraska For Three-Game Series
TEMPE, Ariz.-- The 21st- ranked Arizona State softball team (16-5) will host Big Ten foe Nebraska for a three-game series beginning Friday evening at Farrington Stadium. The Sun Devils will start the three-game set Friday at 7 p.m., before playing game two Saturday at 6 p.m. The Series will conclude Sunday with an 11 a.m. first pitch. 

"I am excited for this series," said head coach Trisha Ford. "Nebraska is a very scrappy team. Traditionally they have been a team that never dies, and that is great for us to have to experience, because that is what Pac-12 play will be like. I was so proud of them last weekend when we were down 3-0 going into the seventh, but we had a pulse. They really responded well and came back with two great extra-inning wins."

LEADING OFF...
• The 22nd- ranked Sun Devils returned to Farrington Wednesday evening after playing back-to-back weekends on the road. ASU amassed a 6-4 record over the course of the ten-game road-trip, highlighted by wins over Texas, Notre Dame and a pair of extra innings wins against Iowa and South Carolina to close out the Judi Garman Classic.  

• The Sun Devils continued to receive strong pitching outings from the four-man ASU staff this past weekend at the Judi Garman Classic. The Sun Devils carded a minuscule 1.66 ERA in the team's five games at the event, a mark that stood as the third best team ERA of all competitors at the event. PAC-12 foe Washington recorded the lowest team ERA at the Classic with a 1.16 mark, followed by Florida who posted a 1.45 mark on the weekend.  

• After opening the 2017 season with the Sun Devils' seventh perfect game in program history, junior pitcher Dale Ryndak has continued her torrid start to the season.  The Downers Grove, Ill., native appeared in four games for the Sun Devils this past weekend, recording another 0.00 weekly ERA, while picking up 10 strikeouts. On the season, Ryndak boasts a 1.66 ERA   

• Chelsea Gonzales cracked the top-10 in home runs Wednesday with her 35th- career home run. Gonzales is tied with Bethany Kemp (2012-15) in tenth, and trails Krista Donnewirth (2008-11) and Alix Johnson (2011-14) who are tied for eighth by just one home run.   

• Arizona State continues to prove that they are willing to get on base by any means necessary. So far this season, ASU has drawn 78 walks, and been plunked by 16 pitches, making ASU the No. 1 team in the Pac-12 in freebases with 94. Arizona checks in at second with 92, followed by Stanford with 87.  

 • Arizona State is the first team in the Pac-12 to eclipse the 100 strikeout plateau, entering the weekend with 124 strikeouts on the season. Freshman Giselle 'G' Juarez leads the team this year with 42 K's this season, followed by Dale Ryndak with 34. 

• The Pac-12 looks again to be one of the most dominant conferences in college softball this season, with six teams ranked in this week's NFCA poll.  

WEEKEND SCOUTING REPORT...
The Huskers enter the last weekend of a season-opening 20 game road stand for a three-game series against the Sun Devils. So far, Nebraska has not claimed a true road victory, entering the three-game tilt with an 0-3 record in true road contests. 

Despite their 4-13 start to the season, the Huskers have proved that they can hit the ball well. Entering this weekend's slate of games, Nebraska has already eclipsed the 100 hit mark this season with 107, including six long balls. The Nebraska offense has produced at least 12 hits in the last three games, the second-longest streak of 12-hit games in program history. 

Playing a top-25 team has become the norm for the Huskers, who arrive in Tempe with 13 games against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls.  According to the most recent NCAA statistic summary, Nebraska's opponent win percentage of .176 ranks third nationally. 

The Sun Devils enter the three-game series holding a 23-10 advantage in the all-time series, including an impressive 12-game win streak over the Huskers, dating back to the 2000 season. 

GAME INFORMATION...

Date   March 10, 11 and 12
Time  7 p.m. // 6 p.m. // 11 a.m. 
Location   Tempe, Ariz.
Venue   Farrington
Dimensions   190 (LF), 210 (CF), 190 (RF)
Watch Live   ASU LIVE STREAM-2
Stats   Stat Broadcast
All-Time Series   ASU leads, 24-10
Last Meeting   2015 (ASU Won, 6-0)


FOR THE FANS...

Make plans to join us Friday for Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night. All season ticket holders in attendance will be invited onto the field following Friday's game to have a picture taken with the team. Friday is also bobble head night at Farrington. All fans will recieve a Sparky bobble head when entering the stadium, while supplies last. 

Saturday, fans will have the opportunity to get ASU softball autographs following the game. The team will set up behind the stands down the third base line to sign posters for fans in attendance.

Sunday, the team will close out the weekend with Military Appreciation & Sunday Funday. All verterans at Sunday's game will receive discounted tickets as well as a gift bag at the gate. Also on Sunday, all of our younger Sun Devil fans will have the chance to run the bases following the game.