In the Pac-10 conference, every at-bat, every game and every weekend series is a battle.
Talented pitchers and All-American hitters face off in ultra-competitive matchups every single game.
The Pac-10 has been at the pinnacle of the collegiate softball world for the past three decades, and in 2011 it looks to be just as talented.
For the ASU softball team, the conference slate is a demanding 21-game battle with every win and loss having postseason implications.
Since 1982, there have been 29 NCAA National Championship winners. The Pac-10 has claimed 23 of them, including four in a row dating back to the 2006 season.
The No. 4 Sun Devils (33-2) dive into Pac-10 play this weekend when they head west to Berkeley to take on Cal.
ASU is counting on smart hitting and consistent pitching in what will be a challenging three-game series.
“Pac-10s are something that we go into, and we know that every team can have the potential to beat you,” senior first baseman Mandy Urfer said. “So right now, especially with Cal we know a lot of their players. We know what to expect.”
The opening weekend of conference play will undoubtedly showcase plenty of elite pitching.
The No. 8 Golden Bears (21-3) own one of the Pac-10’s most dominant pitchers in sophomore Jolene Henderson. ASU will counter with an ace of its own, in the form of freshman Dallas Escobedo.
Henderson, a finesse pitcher, has already posted a 19-3 record this season with a red-hot .81 ERA.
Opposing Henderson in the circle will be Escobedo, who most likely will start in Friday and Sunday’s contests with either freshman Mackenzie Popescue or junior Hillary Bach toeing the rubber on Saturday.
Escobedo has gotten off to a stellar start this season and will be receiving her first dose of Pac-10 action this weekend. She currently boasts a 15-1 record along with a 1.25 ERA.
The ASU hurlers will face a Cal lineup that is more than capable of putting runs on the board. Junior outfielder Jamia Reid is hitting .478, while freshman shortstop Britt Vonk owns a .400 batting average with 22 RBIs.
The talented Sun Devil lineup will face the tall task of stepping up to the plate against Henderson. Opponents are only hitting .163 against her this season.
However, she has yet to face the loaded ASU batting order. Six Sun Devil regulars boast batting averages of at least .400, including junior shortstop Katelyn Boyd’s .500 average.
The Sun Devils are seeking to employ a disciplined approach.
“We got to be smart at the plate,” ASU coach Clint Myers said. “We got to be disciplined. She’s a drop ball thrower, throws a lot of change ups. We need to make sure the ball is up, that we are balanced and under control and doing the things we’ve been preparing for.”
Urfer also said the team has worked on drop-ball mentality, and has to be able to lay off any pitches out of the zone.
“If you swing at those bad pitches, she’s going to kill you,” Urfer said. “In the end, as long as we stay focused and determined in the box, we should be fine.”
The Sun Devils posted a 10-11 Pac-10 mark in 2010, something they think can improve, as long as they don’t hurt themselves.
“When you start playing the other Pac-10 schools, they’re all quality pitchers,” Myers said. “They got quality hitters so you don’t make mistakes, and you don’t beat yourself. That’s the key thing in the Pac, is to not beat yourself.”
Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu
Friday’s game
No. 4 Sun Devils at No. 8 Golden Bears
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Berkeley, Calif.
Cal Update: The Golden Bears feature one of the nation’s top pitchers in Jolene Henderson, who is 19-3 this season. This will be the first Pac-10 game for both schools.
