Whether it’s in the infield, outfield or behind the plate at catcher, the ASU softball team possesses a roster loaded with talent heading into the 2011 season.
The Sun Devils are led by a core group of experienced juniors and seniors. These returners are teamed with a strong supporting cast of younger players who possess just as much talent. With competition at nearly every position, it is clear that depth will be one of ASU’s greatest strengths in 2011.
“We have an extremely talented team,” senior outfielder Lesley Rogers said. “Actually one of the better teams we’ve ever had at ASU. We have a lot of depth, that’s our biggest strength. We definitely have more than nine great players on our team. We have more than two people at every position. It’s a pretty great thing.”
The talent begins in the outfield with Rogers leading the way at center.
Rogers has shown off her cannon of a right arm on more than one occasion during her first two seasons.
In 2009, she amassed five assists in the outfield to go with an excellent .942 fielding percentage. Last season, Rogers led all outfielders with seven assists and posted a .969 fielding percentage.
Her success wasn’t limited to the field, as she batted .389 with 72 hits and 52 runs scored.
While Rogers relishes her role at the plate as a slapper, her strong arm is something she takes pride in.
“I think that that’s one of the more exciting things for me to do,” Rogers said. “I take more pride in that than my hitting. Because you have so little opportunities to do that, I think it’s one of my favorite plays in softball.”
Teaming in the outfield with Rogers will be juniors Talor Haro and Annie Lockwood, as well as freshmen Alix Johnson, Mary Spiel and Sara Sandoval.
Lockwood has shown that she is more than capable of driving the ball into the outfield and oftentimes over the fence. She posted a .584 slugging percentage last season with five doubles, two triples and 12 home runs.
In front of Rogers and the ASU outfield is a dynamic infield lineup led by First Team All-American junior shortstop Katelyn Boyd.
In her first two seasons at ASU, Boyd has established herself as not only one of ASU’s but also one of the Pac-10’s most talented players.
In 2010, Boyd had an astounding .415 average with 12 doubles, 15 home runs and 48 RBIs. All this was accomplished despite suffering from two broken fingers.
Even after garnering First Team All-American honors for her efforts last season, Boyd continues to keep a basic approach to hitting.
“Just to keep it simple and not over think,” Boyd said. “Thinking is for practice, for me I just need to trust it and have fun with it.”
Joining Boyd on the left side of the infield is senior Krista Donnenwirth, who is likely to receive the bulk of the playing time at third base. Donnenwirth has also been a force in the batter’s box during her time at ASU.
Entering her final season in Tempe, Donnenwirth owns a career .328 batting average, with 26 doubles and 29 home runs.
Sophomore Sam Parlich and senior Michelle Nulliner continue to push each other in a position battle at second base.
In limited time at second base last season, Parlich batted .308 and played solid defense with a .973 fielding percentage. Nulliner enters her fourth season in maroon and gold with a career .307 average at the plate and 25 runs scored.
Nulliner is currently suffering from a ligament injury in her thumb, which could sideline her for up to eight weeks.
While the season is still young, ASU coach Clint Myers believes his team’s depth is already paying dividends.
“With the little aches and pains that we are having our depth is being tested,” Myers said. “What we are looking at is our depth is all freshmen, it’s pretty much young players. They’ve got some things that need to move along and get done.”
Over at first base, senior Mandy Urfer is likely to assume the starting duties. In 38 games last season, Urfer accumulated a .352 batting average, six doubles and seven long balls.
Junior Nikole Afusia and sophomore Christina Zambrana have also spent time manning the position.
The Sun Devil depth also extends to behind the plate, where senior Kaylyn Castillo returns this season as ASU’s starting catcher.
Since transferring from Louisville, Castillo has been nothing short of impressive in the batter’s box and behind the plate. Last season, she saw increased playing time as the starting catcher and emerged as a key offensive weapon in the lineup.
Castillo’s 40 RBIs last year were the third highest on the team. She also hit .322 with ten doubles.
Clearly, ASU has a roster filled with talent, but the Sun Devils realize that the work does not stop there.
“We are stacked,” Boyd said. “Our goal is to stay healthy and just keep working.”
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
