The No. 2 ASU softball team's stellar opening weekend didn't go unnoticed, as it climbed the top-25 poll, while two players earned personal accolades.
The Sun Devils (8-0) jumped three spots after winning the Kajikawa Classic, while junior outfielder Kaitlin Cochran and junior pitcher Katie Burkhart earned Pac-10 player of the week and pitcher of the week distinctions, respectively.
"For them to be recognized in the Pac-10 like that means they've played pretty well," ASU coach Clint Myers said. "I'm hoping that it's something that happens many times this season."
Lucky for Sun Devil fans, Cochran started off this season just where she left off last season. Cochran, last year's Pac-10 batting champ, hit .480 with two home runs and nine RBIs while collecting five steals last weekend.
Burkhart's numbers were just as impressive as she compiled a 5-0 record, fanning 57 batters and walking only seven. She compiled a 0.31 ERA in 29 innings.
ASU's new ranking is the highest in the Pac-10, trailing only No. 1 Tennessee, which garnered 13 of the possible 20 first-place votes.
The Sun Devils received one first-place vote, while No. 3 Texas A&M got five. UA dropped from the top spot to No. 4 after going 4-2 in the Kajikawa Classic.
"It's an honor to get the ranking," Myers said. "But like I said before, it doesn't matter where you are until the end of the season."
Reach the reporter at: alex.espinoza@asu.edu.
