Sun Devil Standouts Kenzie Brown and Tanya Windle Earn Big 12 Preseason Honors as ASU Eyes Strong Year Two in Conference
TEMPE - Arizona State softball is heading into its second Big 12 season with momentum - and some serious star power.
Pitcher Kenzie Brown and outfielder Tanya Windle have been named to the 2026 Big 12 Preseason Team, highlighting ASU’s presence in a league that’s quickly shaping up to be one of the toughest in the nation. Brown was one of just seven unanimous selections across the conference, a nod to the dominance she displayed last season and the respect she commands from coaches around the league.
The Sun Devils also landed in a tie for third in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, earning 77 points alongside in-state rival Arizona. That puts both programs just behind Oklahoma State (87 points) and preseason favorite Texas Tech (100 points, including 10 first-place votes). ASU, Arizona, BYU, and Oklahoma State each had two players named to the preseason team, second only to Texas Tech’s seven selections.
Kenzie Brown: The Ace Returns
There’s no sugarcoating it - Kenzie Brown was a force in the circle last season. She racked up 19 wins across 35 appearances and punched out 289 batters, the fourth-highest strikeout total in all of Division I softball.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen - it’s the result of elite command, a deep arsenal, and the ability to execute under pressure. Brown’s dominance earned her All-American honors from multiple outlets, including a First Team nod from the NFCA.
Her unanimous selection to the preseason team is more than just a feather in her cap - it’s a clear signal that she’s expected to be one of the premier arms in the country again this season. If she’s anything close to the pitcher she was in 2025, the Sun Devils are going to be a tough out every weekend.
Tanya Windle: The Spark Plug at the Plate
While Brown anchored the pitching staff, Tanya Windle was the steady engine of the Sun Devil offense. She led the team with a .371 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage, and her .547 slugging percentage was no slouch either.
Windle collected 63 hits in 170 plate appearances and delivered 21 extra-base hits - second only to Ashleigh Mejia’s 24. That kind of production at the top or middle of the lineup gives ASU a reliable offensive presence who can get on base, drive the ball, and make things happen.
Windle’s inclusion on the preseason team is well-earned. She’s not just a stat sheet filler - she’s a tone-setter, and her consistency at the plate will be key as ASU navigates a rugged Big 12 schedule.
Building on Year One in the Big 12
Brown and Windle were two of four Sun Devils to earn All-Big 12 honors in the program’s first season in the conference, joining Mejia and Tiare Ho-Ching. That debut year laid a strong foundation, and now ASU is looking to take the next step.
The Big 12 is no joke - five of the top teams in the preseason poll made the NCAA Tournament last season, and 16 of the 18 players on this year’s preseason team were recognized as all-conference performers in 2025. The level of talent is high, and the margin for error is slim. But with proven leaders like Brown and Windle, ASU has the pieces to contend.
Big 12 Preseason Poll Snapshot
Here’s how the coaches see the league shaking out ahead of the 2026 season:
- Texas Tech - 100 points (10 first-place votes)
- Oklahoma State - 87 points (1 first-place vote)
- Arizona - 77 points
- Arizona State - 77 points
- UCF - 63 points
- BYU - 55 points
- Iowa State - 44 points
- Baylor - 42 points
- Kansas - 28 points
- Utah - 21 points
- Houston - 11 points
What’s Next
With preseason accolades locked in and expectations rising, the spotlight is firmly on Tempe. Brown will lead from the circle, Windle will continue to spark the offense, and the Sun Devils will look to prove that last year’s strong debut was just the beginning.
In a conference stacked with talent, Arizona State isn’t just hoping to compete - they’re aiming to contend.