TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State softball team welcomed a large contingent of ASU fans at Saturday's practice as part of the team's 2018 open house at Farrington Softball Stadium.
Fans in attendance at Saturday's open house enjoyed an open practice, tours of the softball facility, as well as an autograph signing session by the team.
"I think we have something really special here in the valley," said second year head coach Trisha Ford. "Last year everyone was 'feeling the water' but I think that we have done a good job in connecting with them and the fans have done a great job of supporting the team. I hope that we have several sell-out crowds this season and make Farrington a hard place for visiting teams to walk away with a win. There are many of our players that once sat in the stands and watched great ASU teams on the field and now it is our time to do the same for those younger softball players."
The team has already been working hard towards that goal, with nearly a week of practice already in the books. While the 2018 Sun Devils will look to fill a few spots on defense left vacant by a trio of seniors who made an impact on the record books, the team does return all of the pitching staff that recorded a 2.32 ERA in 2017, a mark that stands as the team's lowest season ERA since 2014.
"I think that it will be important that we have a balanced attack from the offensive side," added Ford. "Being able to score runs a variety of ways will be huge for us. I think that tightening up our defense will also play a major role in our success this season. We still have a lot to work on, but I am optimistic that we can clean some things up and be competing at a high level."
Saturday's event also afforded young players from the area to get a closer look at the Sun Devil program, as well as an opportunity to meet some of their favorite players, an experience important to the Sun Devil coaching staff.
"I think it is vital to have the youth out and be surrounded with collegiate players," said Ford. "It's one of the main reasons why my own kids are here all the time. I do not think that there is a better place, especially for young females, to grow up around than in college athletics. You are surrounded with smart, high achieving, driven people who are doing things the right way."
While Saturday served as the first official look at the 2018 Sun Devils this calendar year, the season is quickly approaching with the Kajikawa Classic set to kick off in just over one month. Season tickets, as well as group and single game tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket office at 480-727-0000, or by visiting sundeviltickets.com.
Fans in attendance at Saturday's open house enjoyed an open practice, tours of the softball facility, as well as an autograph signing session by the team.
"I think we have something really special here in the valley," said second year head coach Trisha Ford. "Last year everyone was 'feeling the water' but I think that we have done a good job in connecting with them and the fans have done a great job of supporting the team. I hope that we have several sell-out crowds this season and make Farrington a hard place for visiting teams to walk away with a win. There are many of our players that once sat in the stands and watched great ASU teams on the field and now it is our time to do the same for those younger softball players."
Big crowds on hand for tours of Farrington at our open house! ?? pic.twitter.com/3sKwzLUPKp
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) January 6, 2018
The team has already been working hard towards that goal, with nearly a week of practice already in the books. While the 2018 Sun Devils will look to fill a few spots on defense left vacant by a trio of seniors who made an impact on the record books, the team does return all of the pitching staff that recorded a 2.32 ERA in 2017, a mark that stands as the team's lowest season ERA since 2014.
"I think that it will be important that we have a balanced attack from the offensive side," added Ford. "Being able to score runs a variety of ways will be huge for us. I think that tightening up our defense will also play a major role in our success this season. We still have a lot to work on, but I am optimistic that we can clean some things up and be competing at a high level."
@ASUSoftball is back at it @jade_g_15 pic.twitter.com/YAjztmcYPz
— Hannah Wilkinson (@coachHMW) January 3, 2018
Saturday's event also afforded young players from the area to get a closer look at the Sun Devil program, as well as an opportunity to meet some of their favorite players, an experience important to the Sun Devil coaching staff.
"I think it is vital to have the youth out and be surrounded with collegiate players," said Ford. "It's one of the main reasons why my own kids are here all the time. I do not think that there is a better place, especially for young females, to grow up around than in college athletics. You are surrounded with smart, high achieving, driven people who are doing things the right way."
While Saturday served as the first official look at the 2018 Sun Devils this calendar year, the season is quickly approaching with the Kajikawa Classic set to kick off in just over one month. Season tickets, as well as group and single game tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket office at 480-727-0000, or by visiting sundeviltickets.com.
Thank you #SunDevilNation for coming to our open house! pic.twitter.com/HLqy7xmDRF
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) January 6, 2018