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1 p.m.
Softball
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Friday, February 11
Tempe, Ariz.
11 A.M.
Duke University
vs
California Baptist
Photo by: Duke Athletics
No. 20 Blue Devils Open Season at Kajikawa Classic
2/10/2022 5:54:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM – The No. 20 Duke softball program is set to open the 2022 season at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., from Feb. 11-13.
The Blue Devils will open the slate on Friday against California Baptist at 11 a.m. ET, followed by No. 5 Oklahoma State at 1:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, the Blue Devils will match up with Utah at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the host No. 21 Arizona State at 9 p.m. ET. The weekend will end with another matchup against the Utes at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Broadcast Information
California Baptist & No. 5 Oklahoma State (Feb. 11) – No Live Broadcast
Utah (Feb. 12) – PAC-12 Los Angeles
No. 21 Arizona State (Feb. 12) – PAC-12 Arizona
Utah (Feb. 13) – PAC-12 Network
Opponent History
Duke vs. Utah – Duke leads 1-0
The Blue Devils will meet the Utes for the second time in program history, after earning a 4-3 win on Feb. 24, 2019, in Palm Springs, Calif. Graduate student Rachel Crabtree was a key part of the Blue Devils win, tallying three hits and two RBI, while senior Shelby Walters pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief for her first save of the year.
The Blue Devils will be facing Arizona State, California Baptist and Oklahoma State for the first time in program history.
Scouting The Opponents
California Baptist: The Lancers are coming off a record of 21-30-1 in 2021 but return 17 players from last season's roster. Katelyn Mangrello is one of the top returners on offense, with a team-leading 21 RBI last year, but the team will see turnover in their rotation after losing top starter Kerisa Viramontes to graduation.
Oklahoma State: A consensus top-five team in every major poll, the Cowgirls return several top contributors, including All-Americans Haley Busby and Sydney Pennington. The Cowgirls were a national force in 2021, going 48-12 and reaching the Women's College World Series, before falling to eventual runner-up Florida State.
Utah: The Utes are coming off a 2021 season in which they went 22-33 overall, but return several of their top hitters, including Haley Denning, who hit .391 with eight RBI and Ellessa Bonstrom, who launched 14 home runs and 42 RBI.
Arizona State: Following a 33-16 2021 campaign, the host Sun Devils are looking to build on their NCAA Regionals appearance, where they went 1-2 overall as hosts. The Sun Devils had five players with 10 or more home runs last season and return three of them, including Alynah Torres and Jazmine Hill. In the circle, Lindsay Lopez went 16-7 with a 2.88 ERA and will be relied on heavily again this season.
What to Watch For
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL".
#GoDuke
The Blue Devils will open the slate on Friday against California Baptist at 11 a.m. ET, followed by No. 5 Oklahoma State at 1:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, the Blue Devils will match up with Utah at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the host No. 21 Arizona State at 9 p.m. ET. The weekend will end with another matchup against the Utes at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Broadcast Information
California Baptist & No. 5 Oklahoma State (Feb. 11) – No Live Broadcast
Utah (Feb. 12) – PAC-12 Los Angeles
No. 21 Arizona State (Feb. 12) – PAC-12 Arizona
Utah (Feb. 13) – PAC-12 Network
Opponent History
Duke vs. Utah – Duke leads 1-0
The Blue Devils will meet the Utes for the second time in program history, after earning a 4-3 win on Feb. 24, 2019, in Palm Springs, Calif. Graduate student Rachel Crabtree was a key part of the Blue Devils win, tallying three hits and two RBI, while senior Shelby Walters pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief for her first save of the year.
The Blue Devils will be facing Arizona State, California Baptist and Oklahoma State for the first time in program history.
Scouting The Opponents
California Baptist: The Lancers are coming off a record of 21-30-1 in 2021 but return 17 players from last season's roster. Katelyn Mangrello is one of the top returners on offense, with a team-leading 21 RBI last year, but the team will see turnover in their rotation after losing top starter Kerisa Viramontes to graduation.
Oklahoma State: A consensus top-five team in every major poll, the Cowgirls return several top contributors, including All-Americans Haley Busby and Sydney Pennington. The Cowgirls were a national force in 2021, going 48-12 and reaching the Women's College World Series, before falling to eventual runner-up Florida State.
Utah: The Utes are coming off a 2021 season in which they went 22-33 overall, but return several of their top hitters, including Haley Denning, who hit .391 with eight RBI and Ellessa Bonstrom, who launched 14 home runs and 42 RBI.
Arizona State: Following a 33-16 2021 campaign, the host Sun Devils are looking to build on their NCAA Regionals appearance, where they went 1-2 overall as hosts. The Sun Devils had five players with 10 or more home runs last season and return three of them, including Alynah Torres and Jazmine Hill. In the circle, Lindsay Lopez went 16-7 with a 2.88 ERA and will be relied on heavily again this season.
What to Watch For
- Head Coach Marissa Young returns 17 members of last season's ACC Championship squad, including the first All-American in program history, Deja Davis, as well All-Region honorees Peyton St. George and Shelby Walters in the circle.
- Davis was named preseason All-ACC for the second time in her collegiate career, along with graduate student Jameson Kavel. The duo were the top contact hitters in the Blue Devils lineup in 2021, hitting .389 and .320 respectively.
- St. George is closing in on 500 career strikeouts, needing 49 to become the first in program history.
- The Blue Devils are 4-0 all-time in season openers, with wins over Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame, Clemson and Central Arkansas.
- Duke is set to face its fourth ever top-five opponent. The Blue Devils are 2-1 in games against top-five teams.
- The games against No. 5 Oklahoma State and No. 21 Arizona State are the first of 11 potential games against ranked opponents this season, based on the NFCA's preseason rankings.
- Graduate student Rachel Crabtree (54) can take over the all-time walks record with two more this weekend. Crabtree is also nine RBI away from becoming the first Blue Devil player with 100 RBI in her career.
- The Blue Devils went a perfect 10-0 during fall ball, outscoring opponents 86-7 during that span.
- Joining the Blue Devils in 2022 are seven newcomers, including six freshmen who made up the No. 4 ranked signing class in the country according to Extra Innings Softball, as well as pitcher Jala Wright who comes as a transfer from Michigan State.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
1B
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INF
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OF
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