(Phoenix, AZ) No. 17/12 Sun Devil Baseball split the midweek series against Cal State Fullerton after an 11-8 loss in 11 innings on Wednesday afternoon at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Jacob Tobias raked a grand slam and had five RBI on the day, tying his career best. Nu’u Contrades led Arizona State (28-13, 12-4 Pac-12) in hits, going 3-6 with two RBI. ASU batters also had eight walks, paced by two from Wyatt Crenshaw and Will Rogers.
The Sun Devils went down 4-1 after the top of the third inning, but were able to snatch a 7-5 advantage off of Tobias’ grand slam. Following two Cal State Fullerton (24-12, 15-3 Big West) runs in the top of the fifth, Nu’u Contrades had an RBI base hit in the bottom of the sixth for an 8-7 ASU lead.
After the Titans tied the game in the seventh, pitching took over and a run was not scored until Fullerton plated three runs in the top of the 11th. Arizona State threatened with a two-out baserunner in the bottom half, but were unable to advance him into scoring position, taking the defeat.
Ross Dunn had a get-right start for the Sun Devils, tossing two innings of one hit baseball while striking out one. Christian Bodlovich, Will Armbruester, Blake Pivaroff, Owen Stevensonand Austin Humphres all tossed scoreless outings in relief for the ASU bullpen.
TURNING POINT
The Sun Devils were down 5-3 heading in the fourth inning, but Wyatt Crenshaw reached on a walk to leadoff the inning. With one out, Nick McLain also walked and ASU received a break when a one out, routine grounder by Keaschall skipped out of the shortstop’s glove, loading the bases with one out for Jacob Tobias. Tobias launched a grand slam to dead center, traveling 420 feet off the bat and giving ASU a 7-5 advantage.
BIG MOMENT
In the bottom of the sixth with the game even at 7-7, Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch leading off and swiped second with one out. He was plated by a Nu’u Contrades poked single through the left side to give ASU an 8-7 lead after six. The Sun Devils had Fullerton down to its last strike in the top of the before the Titan’s Caden Conor got just enough of a full count pitch to poke it just inside the opposite left field foul post for the game-tying run.
FINAL STRAW
After Fullerton tied the game, both teams combined for six hits through the end of the 10th inning, not plating a run. In the 11th, Cal State Fullerton got to Sun Devil reliever Tyler Valdez, tagging him for three runs on four hits. The Sun Devils put one on with two outs in the 11th, but were unable to advance the runner, closing out the loss.
INNING-BY-INNING
First Inning
Ross Dunn sat down the side in the first without trouble, navigating a two out double with a strikeout, flyout and groundout. ASU loaded the bases with three walks to Luke Hill, Nick McLain and Jacob Tobias, but nothing came of it in the bottom half.
Second Inning
Dunn put the first two runners on with a walk and hit by pitch, but escaped the jam without a run crossing. Isaiah Jackson was hit by a pitch with one out and immediately driven in on an RBI double by Bronson Balholm, making it 1-0 Sun Devils.
Third Inning
After recording the first two outs without difficulty, the Titans plated four runs, two of them on a two-run homer and one on a steal of home, taking a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the third inning.
The Sun Devil offense was perfectly comfortable with a three-run deficit as Nick McLain led off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Luke Keaschall moved him over on a grounder. Jacob Tobias and Nu’u Contrades laced back-to-back RBI doubles, plating a run each and making it 4-3 heading into the fourth inning.
Fourth Inning
Hansell surrendered a one-out homer, going back down two runs, 5-3. Wyatt Crenshaw led off the frame with a hit by pitch and McLain got on with a walk, then with one out. Keaschall grounded to short, but he bobbled the ball, eliminating the chance for both a force and a double play. Tobias cranked a grand slam to dead centerfield, putting ASU ahead 7-5.
Fifth Inning
After Hansell struck out Zach Lew for the first out, he allowed a single and double, putting runners on second and third with one out. Christian Bodlovich entered and on his first pitch, tossed a fastball that was perfectly teed up for a base hit, plating both runs and tying the game at seven. After recording the next out on a web gem by Isaiah Jackson, but loading the bases on a walk, Brock Peery entered with two outs. He recorded a 6-3 putout, ending the frame.
In the bottom half of the inning, Luke Hill singled to right field, but nothing came of it.
Sixth Inning
Peery was back out for the sixth, immediately giving up a leadoff double. After a strikeout, the Sun Devils intentionally walked the next batter. They ended the inning with a strikeout and fielders choice.
Keaschall was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, swiping second with one out. Contrades pushed a base hit through the left side, taking an 8-7 lead.
Seventh Inning
Peery quickly got the first two outs of the frame before allowing a home run that snuck over the 333 foot wall and past the foul pole, making it 8-8. Will Armbruester entered with two outs and a runner on first, striking out his first batter of the game.
For the first time in the contest, ASU went down in order in the home half of the seventh.
Eighth Inning
Blake Pivaroff entered for Armbreuster, navigating a leadoff single to retire the side without issue.
Luke Hill singled to start the inning, but it was quickly erased by a double play. Luke Keaschall singled and stole second, but nothing came of it.
Ninth Inning
Owen Stevenson entered, working around a leadoff single, despite the runner advancing to third. Isaiah Jackson walked with two outs, but nothing came of it for the Sun Devils, sending the game into extra innings.
Tenth Inning
Tyler Valdez relieved Stevenson, tossing a clean frame and allowing one hit. With one out, Hill walked. McLain, hitting right-handed, fended off a pitch on the outer half, putting two on with one out. Keaschalll grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Eleventh Inning
Fullerton plated three runs on three hits. All of the runs were charged to Valdez, though Humphres recorded the final two outs on flyouts. Pinch hitting with two outs, Reese Behler walked, but ASU fell 11-8.
ON DECK:
Arizona State heads to Oregon to face the No. 23 Ducks. First pitch Friday is set for 5:05 p.m. MST.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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