ASU Softball: Previewing the Sun Devils batting lineup

Despite losing Danielle Gibson, ASU softball brings back a talented crop of hitters, including Skylar McCarty and Morgan Howe, that should carry the Devils.

It’s never easy to lose one of your best infielders, especially when that infielder was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and started at first base in 59 of Arizona State’s 61 games last season.

But lucky for the Sun Devils, they have the luxury of being one of the deepest hitting squads in the country.

One season removed from making the Women’s College World Series, the Sun Devils bring back five of last season’s top seven hitters, including one of the top outfields in the country.

ASU comes off a season where the Sun Devils terrorized opposing pitchers with a .284 team batting average and 66 home runs.

But the team also needs to fill the void left by Danielle Gibson, which should lead the Sun Devils to find consistency from other parts of the lineup.

Among the notables for the Sun Devils are the team’s three seniors, each of whom has shown their impact and value in the lineup of Trisha Ford.

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Leading the way for the seniors is starting outfielder Skylar McCarty. McCarty, a Peoria native, carries with her a career .293 batting average and .982 fielding percentage as a Sun Devil, making her one of the best all-around players on both sides of the plate.

McCarty posted an impressive .444 during postseason play for the Sun Devils and should begin the year in left field for ASU.

Shifting to center field, the Sun Devils start senior Morgan Howe, who made immediate impacts with the team after transferring from Fresno State her sophomore year.

During her junior year, Howe led the teams in runs batted in (42) and finished second on the team with a .361 batting average. Howe also opened the 2018 campaign with an outstanding 10-game hitting streak, before ultimately ending with 69 hits for the year.

Finally for the seniors comes starting third baseman Taylor Becerra. In her three seasons at ASU, Becerra has played in 166 games for the Sun Devils.

Last season, Becerra averaged a career-low .254 batting average, but finished the year second in triples (3), a career-best. Becerra, a Whittier, California native, will look to bounce back in her final season in maroon and gold.

Adding to a talented senior group, is dynamic duo of juniors Maddi and Kindra Hackbarth. The two have become key pieces of Ford’s group after both decided to transfer from Fresno State after their freshmen seasons.

Last season, Kindra was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team for the Sun Devils, leading the team in batting average (.368) and hits (74), while playing in all 61 games last season for ASU.

The lead-off hitter for the Sun Devils continued her tear into the postseason, posting a .409 average with four RBIs and one home run. Kindra should look to build off her MVP season as she returns to her spot in right field.

Despite, finishing the year with a team-low .175 batting average, Maddi made impacts with more than just her hitting.

Last season, the starting ASU catcher drew 24 walks, good for second on the team, and finished with an overall .349 slugging percentage. Along with her 27 RBIs, Maddi added six home runs and played in 57 of the Sun Devils’ 61 games last season.

ASU softball kickoffs the 2019 season with the Kajikawa Classic which lasts between Feb. 8-10 at Alberta B. Farrington Stadium.