Devils in Detail
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ASU Softball: Trisha Ford Named New Manager

By Sam Ficarro

Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky against the Arizona Wildcats during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a disappointing season, Athletic Director Ray Anderson named Trisha Ford as Arizona State’s next softball manager.

The Sun Devils finished the season with co-interim managers Robert Wagner and Letty Olivarez after manager Craig Nicholson resigned for personal reasons.

Sun Devils finished the season 32-26, earning them a NCAA Tournament appearance.

Ford joins ASU from Fresno State, where she went 142-71-1, including winning Mountain West titles the last two seasons.

The two-time Mountain West Coach of the Year led the Bulldogs to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Bulldogs finished 42-12-1 last season, including a school-record 23-game winning streak. Bulldogs cracked the Top 25 rankings, becoming the first Mountain West school to be ranked since 2012.

The Sun Devils hope Ford can revive the program after a turbulent three seasons since the departure of former manager Clint Myers.

Ford has Pac-12 experience as she was an associate head coach at Stanford from 2004-12, where they made nine NCAA Tournament appearances and one trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2004. Her experience will be very valuable as the Pac-12 is one of the most difficult conferences in the nation.

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The Sun Devils are going through a transition as seven seniors depart, including starting outfielders Abby Spiel and Jennifer Soria and catcher Katee Aguirre.

Ford is known for having a positive impact on the pitching staff. According to Sun Devil athletics, in her 13 seasons with Stanford and Fresno State, her pitching staffs posted sub-3.00 ERAs 11 times and sub-2.00 ERAs four times.

Her impact will be greatly felt on a pitching staff that had the 2nd-highest ERA in the Pac-12 last season. With starting pitchers Kelsey Kessler, Dale Ryndak and Breanna Macha returning, it will provide continuity for the Sun Devils as they’ve gained another year of experience playing in one of the toughest conferences.

With Ford’s proven success in the Pac-12 and Mountain West, she will look to bring her success to the Sun Devils, as they look to make their way back into the upper echelon of softball programs.

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