Heading into the ASU softball season, senior third baseman Phelan Wright was looked upon as the cornerstone of the program, and deservedly so. Wright set last year's single season home run record at 15 and has followed that up with another stellar season.
However, there's another player who has catapulted herself to Wright's elite level, complimenting the two-time All-American in the middle of the Sun Devil lineup.
Junior left fielder Valerie Sevilla has come from nowhere to match Wright in nearly every statistical category this year. Last season, Sevilla did not have a home run and knocked in just two runs. This year, she is batting .365 with 12 homers and 39 RBIs, with 14 games still left to play.
"I always knew what a good all-around offensive player she was, including having power," ASU coach Linda Wells said. "But she's certainly shown it this year."
Sevilla and Wright each have 12 homers on the year, three away from the single season record Wright set last year.
"I'm not really focusing on [the record]," Sevilla said. "It would be cool to get it, but I'm not really striving for it. I was always one of those people who moved the runners around when we needed to, but I'm still kind of amazed that I can actually hit home runs."
Having a player of Wright's stature on the team has really helped Sevilla, as both players feed off each other.
"It's fun for them," Wells said. "Not only to have a friendly rivalry of who's doing what, but I think it matters to them because they know their performances are helping the team. Certainly Sevilla is happy to be stepping up into the 'Phelan Category' to support the team."
Sevilla joined ASU in 2003, transferring from the University of Virginia. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native had a nice year for the Cavaliers in 2002, batting. 335 with a .971 fielding percentage, but ultimately decided on a switch to get closer to her family.
"The East Coast is a lot different than the West Coast," Sevilla said. "I guess you could say I am a West Coast girl. I don't think I'll ever go back there."
When word got out that Sevilla was switching schools, Wells jumped at the chance to sign her.
"We tried to talk to Sevilla (out of high school), but she had made her decision to go to Virginia," Wells said. "I saw her play freshman year and was not anticipating her to transfer. But when she did, I knew what type of player I was getting."
Sevilla had a respectable first year for the Sun Devils, batting .269, including a five-game hit streak. She started 36 games and led all outfielders with seven assists. The power did not come last year, though, as she had just two extra base hits all season.
This year, Sevilla has transformed into a power-hitting machine, hitting her first home run against Northwestern in the fifth game of the season.
"When I hit my first home run, it was such a good feeling just because I didn't think it would happen," Sevilla said. "It was a surreal moment."
Sevilla cemented herself as one of the team's most dangerous hitters during the week of March 3-9, batting .533 with two grand slams, three doubles and 11 RBIs to nab Pac-10 Player of the Week honors.
Even the always dangerous Pac-10 pitching failed to slow down Sevilla, as she hit three home runs in the first two games of the conference season.
As of late, however, Sevilla has been having a tough time at the plate, as are her teammates. Sevilla has been hitless in her last five games, and the team has not scored a run in any of those contests.
ASU is currently 0-7 in conference play and will be counting heavily on Sevilla to salvage what's left of the year.
"I'd like to see her continued strong offensive performance," Wells said. "I hope she can maintain the sense of herself that she's had throughout the season, and to just have the ability to do whatever job we need."
Reach the reporter at Kyle.Odegard@asu.edu.
