Arizona State shortstop Jade Gortarez is no longer part of the Sun Devils’ roster, just days before the 2020 season begins.
Sun Devils head coach Trisha Ford said in a statement on Saturday that Gortarez “”is no longer a member of the softball program, and we wish her the best. We’re looking forward to the 2020 season and concentrating on our current team. We are fully committed to Sun Devil softball and the Sun Devil way.”
Gortarez has been the Sun Devils’ starting shortstop since she got to Tempe following a transfer from Texas prior to the 2018 season. She played a role in helped the Sun Devils reach the Women’s College World Series in 2018, and is a 2-time all-PAC-12 honoree.
During the 2019 season, Gortarez batted .347 with six home runs and fifteen doubles, the latter number a career high in that category. She added fifty-two hits, .567 slugging percentage, and .421 on-base percentage. During the regional round of the 2019 NCAA tournament, Gortarez recorded seven hits and drove in seven runs.
In addition to having started her collegiate career at Texas, Gortarez has been part of the USA Women’s Baseball Team for several years.
Arizona State finished the 2019 season with a 35-20 overall record, and will kick off the 2020 campaign at the Kajikawa Classic against Portland State on February 7th.
