ARIZONA DIGEST
2 ASU pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery
Cooper Benson and Boyd Vander Kooi, two of Arizona State baseball’s starting pitchers, will undergo seasonending Tommy John elbow surgery.
ASU coach Tracy Smith made the announcement Thursday, saying the injuries are believed to be more due to longterm wear and tear than anything that happened this season.
Both are expected to return next season. “I’m going to come back and compete for a national championship once again,” said Vander Kooi, a 6-5 righthander who also is helping with bullpen management this season.
Benson’s surgery is scheduled for March 16 with Vander Kooi’s a week earlier, both to be performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gary Waslewski, head team physician for the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns.
2 ASU players get combine invites
Former Arizona State football standouts Frank Darby and Aashari Crosswell have been invited to the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine, although that annual pre-draft event will have a different look this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The event usually is held in Indianapolis, but this year there won’t be inperson workouts conducted. All interviews and psychological testing will be virtual with a plan to conduct medical tests still being discussed.
Athletes will undergo drills and workouts at their respective Pro Days with a maximum of three representatives per NFL team eligible to attend. The NFL Scouting Combine serves as a barometer for teams in evaluating draft potential.
Arizona State is allowing a limited number of fans to attend baseball and soccer games starting this weekend.
Until now, only family members have been allowed at ASU athletic events during the 2020-21 school year.
ASU baseball (5-2) hosts Utah on Saturday and Sunday with up to 1,800 fans to be allowed, roughly 25% of Sun Devil capacity for games at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Soccer (5-0) is hosting Washington at Sun Devil Stadium, where it is playing its home games this season. There is not an exact number of fans that will be allowed because of the size of the football stadium but like at Phoenix Muni they will be spaced out to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
2 homer in ASU softball win
No. 11 Arizona State softball easily won their first road games of the season Friday, downing Montana 17-5 and Incarnate Word 14-0 in run rule wins in El Paso, Texas.
The Sun Devils hit four home runs in each game with Maddi Hackbarth and Alli Tatnall going deep in both. Hackbarth is up to seven homers overall.
Cielo Meza (5-0) was the winning pitching in game 1 and Allison Royalty (4-1) in game 2.
ASU (13-1) plays Incarnate Word and UTEP on Saturday before returning home to face Northern Illinois on Tuesday.