Currently, four Sun Devils are on active rosters for their respective national teams including Giselle Juarez (US Junior National Team), Sashel Palacios (Mexican National Team), Dallas Escobedo (Mexican National Team) and Alyssa Loza (Mexican Junior National Team).
We caught up with Dallas and Giselle who both have had red-hot summers so far with their respective teams. Escobedo, also a member of the Texas Charge of the NPF, has already earned one Player of the Week honor, while pitching at an incredibly high level.
Escobedo has played in five games so far for the Charge, en rout to a 3-2 record on the young season. Below is what she had to say about her experience so far this summer on the diamond;
"I am loving my new summer home in San Marcos/ New Braunfels, Texas! My team is getting off to a pretty good start. I am personally building every day and getting better, having good outings resulting in wins! We just got back from a six day road trip, had an early flight and an evening game at home and came out with a win! The Texas Charge has been a great change of scenery for me as this is my fourth summer in the league. Each game is preparation for our post season tournament as well as a qualifying tournament as I return to play with team Mexico in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic during the first couple weeks in August! Things are moving quickly but it's keeping the summer going and loving every second!"
Giselle Juarez was a key contributor in the Sun Devil rotation during the 2017 season. The Glendale, Ariz., native has spent the first part of her summer competing with the United States Junior National Team. Below is a few thoughts from her regarding summer play in the national ranks;
"Wow, where has the time gone? I just started my Summer tour with the Junior Women's National Team. What an honor! So far we have been training in Oklahoma City, home of the Softball Hall of Fame and Museum and Women's College World Series. While I was there we played some friendlies against travel club softball teams, we were able to tour the facilities and play on the field where one day, in the next three years, it's my goal to win a Women's College World Series on. The best part of this has been to meet legends of the game. From Sue Enquist, to lefty Olympians like "Vegas", the pitching coach and Head Coach Laura Berg. It hit me when I packed to get to training camp that I am one of 24 young women to represent the USA. Chill bumps hit me as I put on that uniform. I am playing with some of the best talent in college softball as well as the top players in high school. If you can, please tune in as we compete in the World Cup of Softball July 5-9 by visiting http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/team-usa/junior-women. USA softball will be streaming games if you cannot make it to OKC. We will be playing teams from across the globe including Mexico, Australia, The Philippines, as well as Japan. We will also face the Women's National Team. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and cant wait to compete for Gold this summer. GO EAGLES! #Followtheflag Until next pitch...FORKS UP!
Fans can follow all of the action from the NPF here, and all of the action from the US JWNT here.