News - The Arizona State Press

Annie Lockwood stands at second base in a game against UCLA on April 6. Lockwood and the Sun Devils have won eight of their last 10 games and are inching closer to No. 1 California in the Pac-12 standings. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball closer to Pac-12 lead after sweep of Stanford

Last weekend’s sweep of No. 16 Stanford put ASU closer to the top of the Pac-12 standings at exactly the middle point of the conference schedule.

By John McKelvey III | April 22, 2012

Hillary Bach stands in the pitcher’s circle during a game against New Mexico State on March 11. Bach and the Sun Devils will play host to the erratic No. 16 Cardinal this weekend. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball prepares for unpredictable Stanford team

As the Sun Devils readied themselves to take on No. 16 Stanford, the players knew they were in for a tough week.

By John McKelvey III | April 19, 2012

Bailey Wigness steals second base in a game against UCLA on March 5. Wigness’ speed and smart decisions have led to her becoming one of the most dangerous Sun Devils on the base paths. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Wigness adapts to changes, excels for team

Sophomore Bailey Wigness’ speed presents a major problem for opponents, but it is her ability to adapt to the changes a fluid lineup throws at her that helps ASU the most.

By John McKelvey III | April 17, 2012

Hillary Bach throws a pitch in a game against UA on March 11. Bach and the Sun Devils are one of the deepest teams in the Pac-12. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Pitching, depth key to softball’s success

The No. 4 ASU softball team did not have any games this weekend, but the team is still practicing and scrimmaging in preparation for No. 15 Stanford.

By John McKelvey III | April 16, 2012

Amber Freeman hits the ball in the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational on March 5. Freeman hit a three-run home run to lift the Sun Devils past the Beavers on Wednesday. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Sun Devils series with Beavers

Freshman catcher Amber Freeman’s three-run home run in the sixth inning saved the No. 3 ASU softball team from disappointment Wednesday.

By John McKelvey III | April 11, 2012

Katelyn Boyd plays defense in a game against UCLA on April 5. Boyd and the Sun Devils fell to the Beavers in a walk-off fashion. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball falters late, falls to Beavers

After a disappointing 4–2 loss in the ninth inning, the No. 3 ASU softball team will look to rebound Wednesday as it faces No. 25 Oregon State.

By John McKelvey III | April 10, 2012

Katelyn Boyd throws a runner out at first in a game against UCLA on Apr. 5. Boyd and the Sun Devils look to continue their winning streak as they travel to face Oregon State this weekend. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball looks to extend four-game win streak

The No. 5 ASU softball is coming off a 1-1 road trip against No. 17 Oregon sandwiched between home sweeps of the Bruins and the Wildcats.

By John McKelvey III | April 9, 2012

Dallas Escobedo throws a pitch in Thursday’s win over UCLA. Escobedo and Hillary Bach paved the way for the Sun Devils’ sweep of the Bruins. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Offense leads softball to sweep Bruins

The No. 5 ASU softball team swept UCLA for the second time in school history by complementing strong defense and exceptional pitching with an efficient offensive performance.

By John McKelvey III | April 8, 2012

Haley Steele hits the ball in a Thursday’s game against UCLA. Steele finished with four RBI in ASU’s 9–1 victory. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball tops UCLA via mercy rule

A five-run sixth inning meant the eight run mercy rule was in effect. ASU’s softball game against UCLA on Thursday ended in a 9–1 blowout.

By John McKelvey III | April 5, 2012

Annie Lockwood stands in the batter’s box in the Kajikawa Classic on Feb. 10. Lockwood and the Sun Devils face UCLA, the nation’s top team in team batting average, this weekend at home. (Photo by Aaron Lavinsky)

Softball to host heavy-hitting Bruins

A hitting showcase awaits softball fans when the two teams that provide the most power in the Pac-12 collide this weekend in Tempe.

By John McKelvey III | April 4, 2012

Katelyn Boyd prepares to throw a runner out at first base in the Littlewood Classic on Feb. 17. Boyd elected to try for a chance at representing the U.S. in the World Cup of Softball in lieu of declaring for the National Pro Fastpitch Draft. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Boyd declines draft for chance to represent country

Senior Katelyn Boyd withdrew her name from this year’s National Pro Fastpitch Draft to focus on the chance to represent her country in this summer’s World Cup of Softball.

By John McKelvey III | April 4, 2012

Mackenzie Popescue throws a pitch in a game against Wichita State on March 1. Popescue and the Sun Devils are currently ranked second in the Pac-12 power rankings. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Cal, ASU top Pac-12 softball power rankings

Pac-12 conference play has barely begun, but there is already a makeshift order in the works.

By John McKelvey III | April 3, 2012

Hillary Bach throws a pitch in a game against New Mexico State on March 11. Bach is 15-0 with a 1.13 ERA. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Sun Devils split series with Ducks

The rain in Eugene, Ore., dampened the No. 5 ASU softball team’s momentum in a series that left both teams one win better and one loss worse than they had been before this weekend.

By John McKelvey III | April 1, 2012

Devil Dish: April 2

One significant change I can’t help but notice is that women’s sports are starting to get more coverage and publicity.

By John McKelvey III | April 1, 2012

Haley Steele hit the ball in a game against UA on March 25. Steele and the Sun Devils are traveling to Oregon where temperatures are expected to be in the 40s. (Photo by Aaron Lavinsky)

Softball prepares for No.17 Oregon, cold weather

When the Sun Devils make the trek to Oregon, they will take on a team that will have played five games in six days.

By John McKelvey III | March 29, 2012

Hillary Bach throws a pitch in the Littlewood Classic on Feb. 17. Bach is one of three seniors leading the way for the Sun Devils this season. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball making steady improvements as season progresses

Several veteran Sun Devils are leading an inexperienced ASU softball team to success this season.

By John McKelvey III | March 27, 2012

Haley Steele hits a grand slam in a game against UA on March 25. Steele's grand slam highlighted ASU's comeback victory. (Photo by Aaron Lavinsky)

Grand slam powers softball to sweep of UA

With three wins over its bitter rival, the No. 5 ASU softball team stamped out a statement to the rest of the Pac-12 this week.

By John McKelvey III | March 25, 2012

ASU senior pitcher Hillary Bach launches a pitch against New Mexico State on March 11. Bach pitched her seventh shutout of the season Thursday against BYU. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Softball splits openers of Judi Garman Classic

Usually the No. 5 ASU softball team is making their opponents change pitchers. Rarely is it the other way around.

By John McKelvey III | March 15, 2012

Katelyn Boyd prepares to take a swing in a game against New Mexico State on March 11. Boyd and the Sun Devils will travel to California for the Judi Garman Classic in the team’s first road trip of the season. (Photo by Jenn Allen)

Softball to compete in first road tournament this season

The Sun Devils will get their chance to compete away from Farrington Stadium for the first time this season in the Judi Garman Classic this weekend.

By John McKelvey III | March 14, 2012

Alix Johnson and Dallas Escobedo celebrate at a game against New Mexico State on March 11. Johnson leads the Sun Devils with a .558 batting average. (Photo by Jenn Allen)

Johnson’s hitting leads softball in Diamond Devil Invitational

The No. 5 ASU softball team relied on its bats to win the weekend at the Diamond Devil Invitational.

By John McKelvey III | March 11, 2012

Softball

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