The three-game series against the Beavers is set to begin Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. PT, followed by game two on Sunday at 7 p.m. The Series will conclude with game three Monday afternoon, with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. All games will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network, with Anne Marie Anderson (Play-by-Play) & Kenzie Fowler (Analyst) on the call.
LEADING OFF:
• The 21st- ranked Sun Devil softball team will continue their home stand this weekend, as they host Oregon State for a three-game series.
• Despite being on the road and facing a top-10 team to open conference play, the Sun Devil pitching staff did not skip a beat this last weekend. Entering the week, ASU has amassed 145 strikeouts, while allowing just 29 walks on the season. The 145 strikeouts ranks fifth in Pac-12, while the 29 total walks is the second lowest in the league.
• Based on the most recent NCAA Stats released this week, ASU has the fifth hardest remaining schedule, in terms of opponents win percentage. The Sun Devils' remaining games will be against teams who have combined for a .735 win percentage so far this year. By the same metric, Pac-12 foe Utah has the toughest schedule, as they are set to face teams that have combined for a .759 win percentage. Of the top-10 teams in this category, six teams compete in the Pac-12.
• Entering the week, Arizona State boasts the nation's 14th- best ERA, with a stellar 1.41 mark through six weeks of play. Three of the Sun Devils' four pitchers rank inside the top 100 individually with Dale Ryndak (1.29), Breanna Macha (1.69) and Giselle Juarez (1.73) each checking in at No. 48, 81 and 86, respectively.
• Arizona State checked in at No. 33 in the first set of NCAA RPI rankings, released this week. Seven Pac-12 teams checked in in the top-40, while six teams ranked inside the top-20. Washington led the way for the league, checking in at No. 1, while Arizona, Oregon and UCLA rounded out the Pac-12's representation in the top-10 at No. 3, 8 and 10, respectively.
• With her two RBI in Wednesday's doubleheader against New Mexico State, senior shortstop Chelsea Gonzales moved into the top-10 in career-RBI in ASU softball history. The La Habra, Calif., native has amassed 162 career RBI, tying her with 2016 ASU Hall of Fame inductee, Phelan Wright for ninth place.
SERIES INFORMATION:
- Date: March 25, 26 and 27
- Game Times: 2 p.m. // 7 p.m. // 1 p.m.
- Location: Tempe, Ariz.
- Venue: Farrington Stadium
- Dimensions: 190 (LF), 210 (CF), 190 (RF)
- Television: Pac-12 Network
Anne Marie Anderson and Kenzie Fowler
- Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
- All-Time Series: ASU leads, 77-35
- Last Meeting: 2016
Result ASU won, 12-1
WEEKEND SCOUTING REPORT:
Oregon State
Oregon State enters the weekend series with a 15-11 overall record this season. While both teams entering the weekend series in search of their first Pac-12 win, the Beavers will also look to turn the tide in their last few outings, as they enter the road contest riding a four game slide.
Oregon State entered the 2017 season with a relatively young roster, represented by just three seniors and four juniors. The bulk of the 2017 Beavers are underclassmen, including seven sophomores and five freshman.
Oregon State has been led at the plate this season by sophomore Shelby Weeks, who has carded a team-leading .391 batting average in her 87 at-bats this season. Weeks enters the weekend tilt boasting a five-game hit streak, that includes her 11th multi-hit game of the season in her last outing against Arizona.
In the circle, the Beavers have leaned on Taylor Cotton, who has made 12 starts this season and earned a 6-2 record. Cotton has proved to be a tough pitcher to hit, already chalking up 61 strikeouts in her 64 innings of work.
As a team, Oregon state has struggled defensively, surrendering 141 runs on 167 hits. The great equalizer for the Beavers has been their ability to hit the long ball. OSU has already amassed 23 home runs on the season, culminating in a combined 13
LAST FOUR SERIES:
3/28/13 vs. Oregon State W, 5-4
3/29/13 vs. Oregon State W, 5-1
3/30/13 vs. Oregon State W, 11-0
3/14/14 at Oregon State L, 3-2
3/15/14 at Oregon State W, 11-0
3/16/14 at Oregon State L, 3-1
4/17/15 vs. Oregon State L, 7-6
4/18/15 vs. Oregon State W, 9-5
4/19/15 vs. Oregon State W, 4-3
5/12/16 at Oregon State L, 0-1
5/13/16 at Oregon State L, 3-4
WHAT'S NEXT: