Arizona State University Softball Ends NCAA Tournament Run

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Arizona State University softball team competing in the NCAA tournament.

News Summary

Arizona State University softball concluded their NCAA Tournament journey after two tough losses, ending their season with a record of 35 wins and 19 losses. The Sun Devils, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed, faced San Diego State and UC Santa Barbara, losing close matches despite strong performances from pitcher Kenzie Brown. As the team looks ahead, head coach Megan Bartlett remains optimistic about the future, focusing on development and resilience after a challenging rebuilding phase.

Los Angeles, CA – Arizona State University (ASU) softball has concluded its NCAA Tournament journey after facing two tough losses, marking an end to their season with a record of 35 wins and 19 losses. The Sun Devils entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the Los Angeles Regional, hosted by No. 9 UCLA.

In their opening game on March 21, 2025, ASU lost a close match to San Diego State, with a final score of 3-2. The game was filled with tension as ASU managed to tie the score in the second inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Kelsey Hall. Tanya Windle then gave ASU a brief lead with a double in the sixth inning. However, the Sun Devils could not hold onto the lead, as San Diego State struck back in the seventh inning with back-to-back home runs from Grace Uribe and Gabriella Terrones, sealing ASU’s fate despite a stellar pitching performance by Kenzie Brown.

Brown displayed remarkable skill, striking out 10 batters and allowing only one hit and one walk across five innings. Even though she ended the game with an impressive total of 13 strikeouts, ASU fell short in the critical moments, leading to their elimination.

Following the loss to San Diego State, ASU faced elimination against UC Santa Barbara. In this second game, Brown continued to shine on the mound, pitching for 9.2 innings, striking out 11 batters, and allowing just two hits and one unearned run. The Sun Devils initially took a commanding lead of 3-0 but lost momentum as UC Santa Barbara rallied back, scoring three runs to tie the game. The contest went into extra innings, but UC Santa Barbara ultimately scored in the bottom of the tenth inning, ending ASU’s season.

Browning has been instrumental to the team’s performance throughout the season, ranking third nationally with 265 strikeouts and boasting a 1.29 ERA prior to the tournament. Her achievements this season included being named an All-Big 12 first-team selection and leading ASU in various pitching statistics.

The ASU softball team experienced a challenging period over the past few years, finishing under .500 for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The program has been in a rebuilding phase since the departure of their former head coach Trisha Ford in 2022, leading to a focus on developing young talent and strengthening the team’s competitiveness.

Head coach Megan Bartlett expressed optimism for the program’s future despite the recent setbacks. She acknowledged the competitive nature of Division I softball and the processes involved in building a successful program. As the Sun Devils look ahead, continued investment in skill development and a commitment to fostering team resilience will be critical as they aim to return to form in future seasons.

Windle underscored the team’s desire to maintain their fighting spirit as they navigate through these challenges. The foundation laid this season positions ASU softball for potential growth and improvement in the coming years, as they seek to advance further in the NCAA Tournament.