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ASU Softball: Strong Non-Conference Play Won’t Equal Strong Conference Play

By Hunter Robinson

Dec 22, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky performs against the Central Arkansas Bears during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky performs against the Central Arkansas Bears during the first half at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The ASU softball team has started out the 2017 season nicely, but just because they have a strong non-conference record, it doesn’t mean they will do well in the competitive Pac-12.

ASU softball currently sits at 11-2 with one of those losses coming against No.18 Texas A&M. With 11 games remaining until Pac-12 play starts, the Sun Devils have the opportunity to set themselves up nicely heading into conference play. Even if ASU does go into Pac-12 play with only a few losses, they aren’t guaranteed to do well in the very competitive Pac-12 conference.

Take last season for example. The Sun Devils were 21-7 heading into Pac-12 play. By the end of conference play, ASU was 32-26 and wasn’t expected to do anything in the NCAA tournament. Last season was the perfect example of why a strong non-conference doesn’t mean you will have a great conference record.

In order to have a strong Pac-12 season, this year’s team will need to win consistently. So far this season, all three pitchers have pitched extremely well and the strong bats have performed. If ASU can consistently get performances like that then they should have no problem being one of the top teams in the Pac-12.

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The part where it gets tricky is what if the scenario mentioned above doesn’t happen? What happens if the team goes on a 12-game losing streak like last year’s team did? If that happens, then the Sun Devils can use a new regime taking over as their scapegoat. ASU needs to make sure that doesn’t happen, and consistency will be key for this year’s team.

The pitching staff of Dale Ryndak, Breanna Macha, and Giselle Juarez has the potential to be one of the best in the country. Making sure that no one pitcher has to start more than others is one way to assure consistency for this year’s team.

Another way to make sure that the on-field product remains consistent is to not get overly concerned about a small slump if you are head coach Trisha Ford. When you are playing so many games over such a short period of time, it is natural to get tired. There are going to be times where the team is fatigued and losses a few games that they shouldn’t. Ford needs to make sure she realizes that fatigue is a factor for any team and the best solution is to ride it out.

Next: Power Bats Lift ASU Softball Past Texas

The 2017 season could be something special for the ASU softball team. So far they have turned heads around the NCAA as they have shown that the historical powerhouse in Tempe is ready to write another chapter in the history books.

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