Softball faces best of the rest in Palm Springs

February 18, 2009

This Week
The Sun Devil Softball squad (11-1 overall) takes to the road for the first time this weekend, traveling to Cathedral City, Calif. to face some of the best teams in the nation at the Palm Springs Classic this Thursday-Sunday. The Sun Devils will square off against No. 2 Florida, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 12 Northwestern, No. 23 UMass and Texas from Thursday to Sunday.

Series History
Against the second-ranked Florida Gators, the Sun Devils hold a 2-0 overall record against their fellow 2008 WCWS peers. With their first meeting coming in 1998. Head Coach Clint Myers has never faced the Gators.

The Devils next opponent on the weekend is one they’ve seen more than a few times in the last few years...at key moments.

The No. 12 Northwestern Wildcats might be looking for some vengance on the Sun Devils....as ASU face-off with the ‘Cats in 2008 with a trip to the WCWS on the line in the Tempe Super Regional. The Sun Devils bested the ‘Cats in that situation, stamping their ticket to the 2008 WCWS in two games....and the rest is history. But the Sun Devils also have some retaliaton to expunge on the ‘Cats as the last time they met in Palm Springs in 2007, ASU led the game until a grand slam in the seventh inning gave Northwestern the W. Overall, since 1986, the Sun Devil have racked up an 8-6 overall record against the ‘Cats. Against the ‘Cats Head Coach Clint Myers is 2-1 overall.

No. 8 Oklahoma will step to the Sun Devils next on Friday’s nightcap where they’ll face ASU for the 19th time in series history since 1979 where ASU holds a 10-8 overall record. Head Coach Clint Myers has never led a team against the Sooners.

Saturday afternoon holds the Texas Longhorns in the path of the Sun Devils with ASU looking for a bit of retaliation from their last meeting in the 2006 WCWS where Texas barely edged the Sun Devils. Overall, the meeting will be the 10th between the teams since 1997 with Texas holding the edge 4-5. Overall, Coach Myers is 0-1 against the Longhorns and looking to even the score.

Last, but not least on Sunday morning, the Sun Devils will face the No. 23 UMass Minutemen who ASU has faced 11 times since 1990, holding a 10-1 record. Clint Myers will look for a W in his first meeting against the Minuteladies.

Up Next
The Sun Devils return home next week to host their final home tournament of the 2009 season, holding the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational from Friday, Feb. 27 to March 1 in Tempe at Farrington Stadium. Opponents include: Southern Utah, Northern Colorado, New Mexico State, South Alabama and Utah State.