Cochran getting lots of help in ASU offense

The numbers alone suggest nothing out of the ordinary, at least not by Kaitlin Cochran’s standards.

The Arizona State junior outfielder leads the Pac-10 in batting average (.436), runs (73), doubles (18), triples (4), total bases (130), on-base percentage (.606) and slugging percentage (.833).

So what’s the problem?

She’s walked a league-high 58 times and been hit by 11 pitches. Sixteen of those walks have been intentional, as teams have shown little interest in pitching to arguably the best hitter in the league.

All of which makes her season stats even more mind-boggling.

Still, she’s been frustrated by the evasive tactics opposing teams use to force someone else to beat them.

Fortunately for Cochran, this year’s Sun Devils lineup has been so good the tactics haven’t worked. It could be the biggest reason why the Sun Devils (56-5) have big-time College World Series aspirations.

Arizona State enters this weekend’s NCAA regional as the second-highest scoring offense in the country (7.14 runs per game).

The Sun Devils lead the NCAA in slugging percentage (.563), are second in home runs per game (1.46) and fourth in batting average (.331).

Katie Burkhart has remained a dominant pitcher and the defense behind her has been steady, which leaves offense as the biggest upgrade.

“This is the best team we’ve had in my three years,” ASU coach Clint Myers said. “We have more depth we can do things with. The freshmen are hitting well and we’ve been able to surround (Cochran) with quality people.”

Who’s behind her? The Pac-10’s RBI leader (64) in freshman Krista Donnenwirth, the school’s all-time home run leader (56, including 14 this season) in Mindy Cowles, and Kristen Miller (.343, 14 HRs, 49 RBIs).

Yet, Cochran is still getting walked.

“As long as we get the big 'W,’ ” Cochran said. “We’re making them pay and getting the job done.”

Players talked of recent seasons when it was up to either Cochran or Cowles to keep runners from being stranded.

Thanks to both a talent and experience surge in Myers’ third season coaching his alma mater, six players have hit better than .340. Five players (including Cochran) have driven in at least 30 runs.

“If we need to, have to score a run, it’s never a certain person or a question of 'if,’ ” Cowles said. “It’s just which one of us is going to do it.”

Cochran is too talented and competitive to completely brush off the barrage of free passes.

“I don’t know if she ever relaxes,” Myers said.

But at least she finally can. At least a little.

“I have nothing to worry about with the girls behind me,” Cochran said. “It’s just another way to score runs, which we’re doing. A lot.”

NCAA REGIONAL

Who: Arizona State, Hawaii, Mississippi State, Stony Brook
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Farrington Stadium, Tempe
Today’s games: Mississippi State vs. Hawaii, 4:30 p.m.; Stony Brook vs. ASU, 7 p.m. Saturday: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 2 p.m.; Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4:30 p.m.; Losers’ bracket game, 7 p.m. Sunday: Game 1 of championship series, 1 p.m.; Game 2 of championship series, if necessary, 3:30 p.m.

Hawaii (38-19)
Rank: No. 23
Conference: Western Athletic Conference
Coach: Bob Coolen
Player to watch: P Kate Robinson is 17-8 with a 1.84 ERA while splitting time with Courtney Baughman (14-8, 2.04), but Robinson is easily the Rainbows’ best hitter (.384, 44 runs, 19 HRs, 51 RBIs).
The skinny: Hawaii finished third in the WAC regular season and tournament to reach the NCAA for the second consecutive season. It reached the super regional last season for the first time in school history. With the Rainbows, Louisiana Tech, Nevada and Fresno State, it’s the first time since 1995 the WAC has had four teams in the NCAA tournament.

Mississippi State (40-20)
Rank: NR
Conference: Southeastern Conference
Coach: Jay Miller
Player to watch: Chelsea Bramlett hit .444, scored 48 runs and stole 44 bases in the leadoff spot.
The skinny: The Bulldogs had a losing record (13-14) in the SEC. Then again, it’s a top-3 conference. The Bulldogs are making their fifth NCAA appearance in six years under Miller — one of eight SEC teams to earn a tournament bid.

Stony Brook (33-21-1)
Rank: NR
Conference: America East
Coach: Megan Bryant
Player to watch: Sophomore P Alyssa Struzenberg (24-8, 1.85 ERA) held opponents to a .172 batting average and had 241 strikeouts in 211 2/3 innings, but she can’t afford any more control issues (111 walks).
The skinny: The Seawolves earned an automatic bid to the tournament by winning three America East tournament games by a combined 14-2. Until then, they weren’t the hottest team since late April, having lost to Vermont, Albany and Fairfield, and twice to Sacred Heart.