After two players accounted for 11 of Arizona State’s 13 runs in the first two games, a team effort powered the Maroon and Gold to victory. All nine Sun Devils got a hit and seven recorded RBI.
Jonah Giblin pitched 4.2 innings of three run baseball and turned it over to a lethal Sun Devil bullpen, piloted by Timmy Manning’s 2.1 innings of no-hit baseball that got ASU near the finish line.
Nu’u Contrades continued to rake, going 4-5 with another homer and three driven in, finishing the weekend 7-14 (.500) and in pole position for an incoming Pac-12 Player of the Week honor. Ryan Campos, Luke Keaschall and Isaiah Jackson also added multi-hit days.
THE TURNING POINT
After a three-run home run that gave the Wildcats the 3-2 advantage in the third inning, The Sun Devils quickly responded in the bottom half with a Wyatt Crenshaw leadoff home run and Jacob Tobias RBI gave the Sun Devils the lead and would not look back from there.
THE BIG MOMENT
With two-outs in the fourth inning, Kien Vu delivered his first career home run in the fourth inning to extend the Sun Devils score to 5-3.
THE FINAL STRAW
A combined five runs were added on by the Sun Devils during the fifth and sixth innings. These insurance runs would be enough to help stray off a potential Wildcat comeback, solidifying the weekend series sweep.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
In the top of the first, Arizona got on the bases quickly with a one-out double, but back-to-back strikeouts from Sun Devils starter Jonah Giblin eliminated the threat. The game was tied 0-0.
In the bottom half, Nu’u Contrades recorded the first hit for the Sun Devils with a one-out single. However, a 6-4-3 double play quickly ended the inning. The game was tied.
Second Inning
In the top of the second, a two-out single was good enough for the Wildcat’s second hit of the day. Isaiah Jackson made an incredible diving play on a well struck ball to center, to end the inning. The game was tied.
The Sun Devils strung together a couple of one-out base hits from Jacob Tobias and Luke Hill to have them at first and third. Isaiah Jackson proceeded to drill a double down the right field line to put the Sun Devils up 1-0 early. A sacrifice ground out from Trey Newmanbrought home the second run of the inning. A Kien Vu groundout ended the inning, but the Sun Devils led 2-0.
Third Inning
It was a tough third inning for Jonah Giblin as he allowed a one-out walk and a single before Arizona unloaded a three-run home run over the right field wall. Giblin was able to recover and get out of the inning, but the Wildcats now led 3-2.
An Immediate response from the Sun Devils, as Wyatt Crenshaw belted a leadoff home run to tie the game at three. A single and a walk ensued, having Sun Devils on first and second. A couple of flyouts allowed Nu’u Contrades to tag from second to third and third to home, which gave the Sun Devils the 4-3 lead.
Fourth Inning
In the top of the fourth, Jonah Giblin put the Wildcats down in order for the first time in the game. The Sun Devils still led 4-3.
In the bottom half, Isaiah Jackson got the inning going with a leadoff single. However, he was thrown out at second trying to steal a base. A Trey Newman strikeout quickly brought the inning to two-outs. However, a first career home run from Kien Vu extended the Sun Devils lead to two. The Sun Devils led 5-3.
Fifth Inning
In the top of the fifth, the Wildcats stranded two-out baserunners, via a Timmy Manningstrikeout, who took over for Jonah Giblin. The Sun Devils still led 5-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Nu’u Contrades belted a first pitch home run over the center field wall. Ryan Campos belted a double in the ensuing at-bat. Luke Keaschall singled to put the runners at the corners with no-outs. Jacob Tobias brought home the Sun Devils seventh run with an RBI sac-fly. A couple of pop ups followed which ended the inning. The Sun Devils extended their lead 7-3.
Sixth Inning
In the top of the sixth, a walk, followed by a strikeout and a double play made quick work of the Wildcats. Another strong inning from Timmy Manning. The Sun Devils led 7-3.
In the bottom half, the Sun Devils continued to add on. A first and second situation resulted in a ground out which advanced both runners to second and third. A Nu’u Contrades single brought home both runners. The Sun Devils extended their lead to six. Contrades got caught stealing. Ryan Campos proceeded to launch a solo home run which extended the lead to seven. A Jacob Tobias groundout ended the inning, but the Sun Devils extended their lead 10-3.
Seventh Inning
Manning put the Wildcats down in order for his first in the game and the pitching staff’s second time in total. The Sun Devils led 10-3.
The Sun Devils went down in order for the first time in the game. The Sun Devils led 10-3.
Eighth Inning
A one-out rally for the Wildcats. A string of singles and doubles helped them put up a three spot in the inning. Jesse Wainscott was able to get out of the jam via a fly out and a pop out. The Sun Devils still led 10-6.
The Sun Devils went down in order for the second time in the game. The Sun Devils led 10-6.
Ninth Inning
The Wildcats went three up and three down. The Sun Devils won the game 10-6.
UP NEXT:
The Sun Devils will hit the road for a midweek contest against the UNLV Rebels in Las Vegas on Tuesday Mar. 28 at 6:05 MST. ASU beat the Rebels 6-3 at home earlier this season.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Josh Schwam & Kennan O’Rourk
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