TEMPE -- Looking forward to the 2021 season, we sat down with the new faces of Sun Devil Softball for a physically distanced Q&A. The freshman class, made up of two outfielders, three infielders, a catcher and a pitcher, was named the No. 12 recruiting class by FloSoftball, and is comprised of players from four different states. Head coach Trisha Ford and team also welcomes one junior transfer for a total of eight first-time Sun Devils.
A dominant right-handed pitcher, Allison Royalty, was one of the nation's most sought-after pitching prospects. Royalty settled in Tempe after playing at an incredibly high-level with her club softball team. In 2018, Extra Innings ranked Royalty the No. 38 player in the class of 2020, and this season, FloSoftball recognized her as the No. 4 prospect in the class. The Texas native helped lead the Athletics Mercado/Smith 18u club team to a 2019 PGF 18u Premier National Championship and aided her team to a second-place showing at the IDT Boulder Tournament.
Get to know the highly-touted freshman, Allison Royalty.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in Arizona?
I haven't explored the restaurants too much here so far, but my favorite will always be Cane's!
Q: Do you have any game day superstitions?
I like to keep my pre game routine the same, nothing out of the ordinary. Just keeping how I get ready in the same order. Oh, and don't step on the chalk before the game starts!
Q: If you could meet any professional athlete/celeb who would it be and why?
I'd love to meet Will Smith. Besides him being hilarious, I feel like you could ask him anything and get great advice or feel motivated from what he has to say.
Q: What sold you on Arizona State?
I was sold on the beautiful campus when I first visited, then the coaching staff and vision for the program, as well as the academic support they provide their student athletes.
Q: What is your go to warmup song?
Outta There - moe
Q: Best softball memory?
Winning the 18u PGF national championship
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of softball?
I love weight lifting, I sketch sometimes, spending time w friends doing whatever, play some video games, and really just doing anything active.
Q: If you had to play another sport what would you choose?
I would choose tennis. I'm not any good at it but if I could be I think it would be so fun.
Q: What do you enjoy about ASU most?
I don't think I can name just one thing, ASU overall has been such a great time!
Q: What is your go to mantra?
"I can and I will"
Q: Something many people might not know about you?
I absolutely love listening to music, no matter where I am I'll usually have music playing. Or I'll have songs in my head on repeat all day everyday.
Q: How do you typically spend your off days?
I'd usually take time to just sit and relax, listen to music, or go out and do something fun with friends.
Q: What about your jersey number is significant to you?
I had #10 my last two years of travel ball, so my #11 is one up from that.
Q; Goal you aspire to achieve as a Sun Devil?
I aspire to win the Women's College World Series, as well as make a positive impact and motivate those around me. Leave a mark as someone that could be counted on to work their hardest.
Q: A pro tip on how you balance school and athletics?
Write everything out for each week! Due dates, when you'll have practice, when to get study time in, and anything extra that needs to get done.
Q: Favorite ballpark food?
Ice cream sandwiches
Q: What is your dream vacation?
Any tropical island sitting on a beach with clear blue water and white sand!
Q: Who is your biggest hero?
Jessica Mendoza! She's accomplished so much in her athletic career as well as her career in sports broadcasting. She has opened doors for women in many industries, and inspired young women to pursue male dominated careers.
A dominant right-handed pitcher, Allison Royalty, was one of the nation's most sought-after pitching prospects. Royalty settled in Tempe after playing at an incredibly high-level with her club softball team. In 2018, Extra Innings ranked Royalty the No. 38 player in the class of 2020, and this season, FloSoftball recognized her as the No. 4 prospect in the class. The Texas native helped lead the Athletics Mercado/Smith 18u club team to a 2019 PGF 18u Premier National Championship and aided her team to a second-place showing at the IDT Boulder Tournament.
Get to know the highly-touted freshman, Allison Royalty.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat in Arizona?
I haven't explored the restaurants too much here so far, but my favorite will always be Cane's!
Q: Do you have any game day superstitions?
I like to keep my pre game routine the same, nothing out of the ordinary. Just keeping how I get ready in the same order. Oh, and don't step on the chalk before the game starts!
Q: If you could meet any professional athlete/celeb who would it be and why?
I'd love to meet Will Smith. Besides him being hilarious, I feel like you could ask him anything and get great advice or feel motivated from what he has to say.
Q: What sold you on Arizona State?
I was sold on the beautiful campus when I first visited, then the coaching staff and vision for the program, as well as the academic support they provide their student athletes.
Q: What is your go to warmup song?
Outta There - moe
Q: Best softball memory?
Winning the 18u PGF national championship
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of softball?
I love weight lifting, I sketch sometimes, spending time w friends doing whatever, play some video games, and really just doing anything active.
Q: If you had to play another sport what would you choose?
I would choose tennis. I'm not any good at it but if I could be I think it would be so fun.
Q: What do you enjoy about ASU most?
I don't think I can name just one thing, ASU overall has been such a great time!
Q: What is your go to mantra?
"I can and I will"
Q: Something many people might not know about you?
I absolutely love listening to music, no matter where I am I'll usually have music playing. Or I'll have songs in my head on repeat all day everyday.
Q: How do you typically spend your off days?
I'd usually take time to just sit and relax, listen to music, or go out and do something fun with friends.
Q: What about your jersey number is significant to you?
I had #10 my last two years of travel ball, so my #11 is one up from that.
Q; Goal you aspire to achieve as a Sun Devil?
I aspire to win the Women's College World Series, as well as make a positive impact and motivate those around me. Leave a mark as someone that could be counted on to work their hardest.
Q: A pro tip on how you balance school and athletics?
Write everything out for each week! Due dates, when you'll have practice, when to get study time in, and anything extra that needs to get done.
Q: Favorite ballpark food?
Ice cream sandwiches
Q: What is your dream vacation?
Any tropical island sitting on a beach with clear blue water and white sand!
Q: Who is your biggest hero?
Jessica Mendoza! She's accomplished so much in her athletic career as well as her career in sports broadcasting. She has opened doors for women in many industries, and inspired young women to pursue male dominated careers.