Senior shortstop Jade Gortarez is leaving No. 22 Arizona State softball prior to the start of the season, according to a statement made by the team Friday night.
Gortarez has played 116 games with the Sun Devils since transferring to the program as sophomore from the University of Texas. She earned All Pac-12 second team as a sophomore along with third team as a junior.
The exit comes just a day before the team's open house and scrimmage.
"Jade Gortarez is no longer a member of the Sun Devil Softball program and we wish her the best," head coach Trisha Ford said. "We’re looking forward to the 2020 season and concentrating on our current team. We are fully committed to Sun Devil Softball and the Sun Devil Way."
Gortarez was ranked 66th in Softball America's Top 100 Players coming into this season.
Last season, Gortarez hit .347 along with six home runs and .567 slugging along with a .952 fielding percentage.
Gortarez participated on the USA Baseball Women's National Team in 2018.
Filling the void will most likely be a local product in freshman infielder Alynah Torres from Cactus High School in Glendale.
The Sun Devils will begin their season playing Portland State on Feb. 7th at 3:30 p.m. MST in Tempe as part of the Kajikawa Classic.
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