In a preseason coaches' poll, the ASU softball team was projected to finish sixth in the Pac-10 this season. Ordinarily, sixth-place teams aren't very competitive, but in the Pac-10, a sixth-place finish almost guarantees a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The league boasts the top three ranked teams in the nation (UCLA, UA and California) as well as six of the top 13. Every team in the Pac-10 is ranked in the national top 25 poll, with the Sun Devils at No. 19.
ASU is coming off a 32-25 season in which they advanced to NCAA Region play for the seventh consecutive time, before falling to Texas in a matchup that would have sent them to the College World Series.
"I think we did well (last season) but we could have done a lot better," senior center fielder Kristin Farber said, "We were somewhat intimidated by Texas. Our attitude was our downfall."
The Sun Devils excelled in the non-conference schedule last season, going 25-11, but ended up with just a 7-14 mark in the Pac-10 after a 3-0 start.
"I'd like to improve our record in the Pac-10," coach Linda Wells said.
ASU returns five position starters from last year's club, including two-time All-American, senior third baseman Phelan Wright, and Farber, an All-Pac-10 selection last season.
"Me and Phelan have been here all four years," Farber said. "We need to show leadership on the field as well as off the field."
Wright set ASU's all-time single season record with 15 home runs last season and is just seven homers away from the school's career mark of 34. Wright is currently tied with Lisa Dacquisto for the career batting average record (.378) and is also within reach of the school RBI record of 165. Wright's 115 RBI currently rank third on the school's all-time list.
With Wright anchoring the middle of the lineup and Farber leading off, the Sun Devils will focus on a balanced offensive attack this season.
"We are a good combination of power and strength," Wells said.
Although the Pac-10 is stacked with tough teams, the Sun Devils are looking forward to a couple of specific games in the season.
"We always look forward to our rival UA," Farber said, "Every team in the Pac-10 is good, but UA is our most challenging."
The Sun Devils have some strong arms on the pitching staff as well, as they will bring back sophomores Desiree Serrano and Ashley Werschky to the mound.
Last season, the duo combined to win 28 games. Junior Bre DeSanta - a transfer from San Diego State - will also be counted on to further strengthen the pitching rotation.
Three freshmen will be moving into starting roles for ASU as Heidi Knabe takes over as catcher, Sharee Zaleski steps in at first base and Kristen Crenshaw will start at shortstop.
Crenshaw will be taking over for departed senior Kara Brun, who holds the ASU career-records for home runs, doubles (50) and RBI.
"[Shortstop] is definitely a hard position to fill," Wright said. "[Brun] was an awesome hitter."
ASU will begin the season with non-conference home games against Stephen F. Austin, Kansas, Northwestern and Western Michigan.
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
