As temperatures rise across the Valley, Arizona State Softball is as well, ready to storm back into the postseason, looking to change the outcome of last season's hard-fought defeat.
After falling 4-3 in the 10th inning of an elimination game against UC Santa Barbara in the Los Angeles regional. The Sun Devils — who finished 35-21, with a 14-10 record in Big 12 play — are eying the postseason to make another attempt to show they are a dominant force on both ends of the field.
However, with the return of senior starting pitcher Kenzie Brown, senior outfielder Tanya Windle and some recruits, ASU looks to get its season started with a spark.
In addition to their opening-day game against the Toledo Rockets, the Sun Devils will play a doubleheader, with the second game against No. 3 Oklahoma, one of the more dominant teams in collegiate athletics.
The Sooners — who finished their 2025 campaign with a 52-9 record and 17-7 conference record — were one of the most powerful teams in the NCAA.
A team like Oklahoma is sure to be a test for an up-and-coming ASU team, starting its season with arguably its toughest test.
The teams' returning production will be among the more important pieces this year, with sophomore infielder Tiare Ho-Ching and senior outfielder Yannixa Acuña looking to help lead the way for many of the newcomers to the team.
Standout graduate outfielder Brooklyn Ulrich, who transferred from Marshall University, was electric offensively last season, batting just above .320.
In addition to Ulrich, the Sun Devils added many new freshmen: utility player JazMarie Roberts from Modesto, Calif., infielder/ centerfielder Avery Motroni from San Bruno, Calif. and catcher Brooke Piwowar from La Mirada, Calif.
These new additions will look to make names for themselves this season as they replace lost production from last season.
With the departure of power-hitters like utility player AJ Murphy, outfielder Kelsey Hall and catcher Lillian Holtje, these new additions pave the way for a future for ASU softball.
While the Sun Devils have had to do some major retooling offensively, the pitching side is more than sured up with ace senior pitcher, Kenzie Brown, who will be back and will look to start right back where she finished last season.
Boasting a 19-8 record last season with a 1.89 era and 298 strikeouts, Brown was considered one of the best pitchers in all of the NCAA last season. Her return to the Sun Devils this season will ultimately be a valuable piece in their path to the postseason for a second-straight season.
As the first pitch approaches on Thursday, Feb. 5, in Tempe. ASU will look to capitalize on the growing success of softball in the Big 12 this year.
However, before the first pitch of conference play is even thrown, the new Sun Devils will be tested with some elite competition before they can think about setting foot in Oklahoma City this summer.