No. 2 softball opens season with highest pre-season ranking in program history

January 30, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. - Another first was logged in the books for the Sun Devil Softball Program, this time prior to the season even beginning. For the first time in program history the Sun Devils will enter the season with their highest pre-season ranking to date. The Sun Devils will kick-off the 2008 season next weekend ranked No. 2 on the USA Softball Pre-season Coaches Poll.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils accumulated 468 points in the poll as well, but were just barely edged for the No. 1 spot by defending national champions and in-state rival, Arizona.<separator></separator>The Sun Devils return nearly all starters from last season which saw them return for their second consecutive Women's College World Series with some of the most potent offense and defense in the nation.<separator></separator>They return First-Team All-Americans <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/burkhart_katie00.html"… Burkhart</a> and <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/mtt/cochran_kaitlin00.html… Cochran</a> to the line-up and also have several new faces to bulk up the line-up and defense.<separator></separator>The Softball Team will hit the diamond next weekend in Las Vegas for opening weekend before returning the weekend after to host the Kajikawa Classic February 15-17, a 22-team tournament featuring five of the eight 2007 WCWS participants in Tempe at Farrington Stadium and Tempe Sports Complex. Please visit the ASU Softball homepage for more information on the Kajikawa Classic and on Sun Devil Softball ticketing for the 2008 season.