Softball Earns Highest Ranking Since 2019
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Arizona State softball team reaps the rewards of a shutout 2021 debut two weekends ago and moves up in the USA Today/NFCA Poll to No. 13 on Tuesday morning. The ranking is the highest the team has placed since landing at No. 13 in Week 3 of the 2019 season.
Last week, the Sun Devils (6-0) saw a one-spot bump from the preseason rankings to No. 15 before heading into a bye weekend.
Movin' on up ??
Our highest ranking since Week 1 of 2019 pic.twitter.com/MPph8wOn7N
— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) February 23, 2021
ASU is enjoying the best start to a season since 2017 - back then, the Sun Devils went 8-0 with the help of junior pitcher Breanna Macha. In 2021, ASU boasts six wins to start the season, including two doubleheader wins against Brigham Young and Cal State Fullerton. This time around, another pitcher has stolen the spotlight as freshman Allison Royalty earned her crown in her collegiate debut weekend. Royalty pitched 13.2 innings, giving up only one run and two walks while serving 20 strikeouts. Her 0.51 ERA and three wins leads the ASU pitching staff. In game one against CSUF, Royalty put the exclamation point on ASU's 8-0 win, earning her first collegiate shutout.
SHE'S COLD ??
Allison Royalty's debut weekend:
0.51 ERA // 20 SO // 3 WINS // 4 APP pic.twitter.com/OBkzA7TbSU— Sun Devil Softball (@ASUSoftball) February 17, 2021
This weekend, the Sun Devils battle in two Top-25 showdowns against No. 2 Oklahoma on Friday night and No. 25 Iowa State on Saturday night. All games are closed to the public due to Pac-12 Conference guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fans can watch all Sun Devil Softball games on the ASU LiveStream.