FIU transfer Steven Ondina showed flashes of brilliance on the defensive side, with an early snag to keep the Wildcats scoreless in the first inning. On the offensive side, Ondina went 2-of-4, scoring in the third frame. Catcher Ryan Campos secured two RBIs on the night, including a key insurance run in the eighth inning to give ASU a 4-run cushion entering the ninth frame.
Three different Sun Devil pitchers came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs and all three got an inning-ending strikeout to get out of the jam – two of those making their Sun Devil debuts in Ryan Schiefer and Matt Cornelius.
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens got the nod to begin the game, throwing four strikeouts in four innings and registering only one walk. Cornelius worked an inning and a third of action across the seventh and eighth innings, striking out two and earning the win. Matt Tiedingput the finishing touches on a bases-loaded situation in the ninth – inheriting a 2-0 count to boot – and got a massive strikeout to wrap up the Sun Devils’ third win of the year.
TURNING POINT
Facing a three-run deficit entering the third inning, the Sun Devils worked three runs across the plate led by an opening walk by Trey Newman, and a single by Ondina which led to Contrades doubling down the line to score ASU’s first run. Then, a Campos fielder’s choice brought Ondina home. Lastly, Jacob Tobias put the finishing touches on the frame with a single to right field, scoring Contrades to tie the game 3-3 in the third.
BIG MOMENT
Tied at five in the bottom of the seventh inning, Campos was hit by a pitch, setting up Karstetter to single. With two runners on base and no outs, Isaiah Jackson came up big with a bases-clearing single, scoring both Sun Devil runners and taking a 7-5 lead going into the eighth inning.
FINAL STRAW
Kansas State ended up opening the ninth frame with a walk followed by a single to put runners in scoring position and ended up getting a run off of a sacrifice fly. Another walk brought Matt Tieding into the game, inheriting a 2-0 count, based loaded, two outs situation with the Sun Devils ahead 9-6. He worked a strikeout to secure the Sun Devil victory.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning:
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens began the game with a strikeout. A good throw from Steven Ondina at shortstop called the second runner out at first. The third batter became Behrens’ second collegiate strikeout.
Harris Williams stepped up to the plate and watched four balls in a row go by him. A strikeout ensued, followed by a double-play on a hit to second base.
Second Inning:
Kansas State opened the frame with a blooper base hit, but senior shortstop Steven Ondinahad a diving snag to convert on the 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. The Wildcats got another base hit, which would then later turn into a two-run home run to take an early 2-0 lead.
Senior DH Kevin Karstetter worked a walk with an out for the Sun Devils then stole second, but was left stranded keeping the deficit at two entering the third frame.
Third Inning
After walking the first batter, Behrens caught him leading off at first. A throw-and-catch from third baseman Nu’u Contrades to first baseman Jacob Tobias recorded the Sun Devils second out just before another home run from Kansas State put them up 3-0. Behrens’ third strikeout ended the frame.
A 4-0 count led Trey Newman to first, followed by a strong single down the right side from Steven Ondina. With one out, Nu’u Contrades doubled down the right line to bring a run in and leave runners on second and third. An RBI by Ryan Campos left the Sun Devils down one with Jacob Tobias at the plate. His two-out launch to right center field evened the score at three apiece. A controversial swing ended the inning.
Fourth Inning
Behrens settled into the game accounting for his second 1-2-3 inning of the contest, which included his fourth strikeout and an impressive snag to end the inning for the Wildcats.
Leading off the fourth frame, Isaiah Jackson smashed a team-leading third home run of the season to direct center field, giving the Sun Devils a 4-3 lead but was unable to muster any baserunners as the maroon & gold headed into the fifth frame with a one-run lead.
Fifth Inning
Freshman Bradyn Barnes stepped up to the mound for the first time and delivered a three-pitch strikeout to begin the frame. After being walked, the second batter stole second. Another walk left runners on first and second, both eventually stealing second and third. The next batter was intentionally walked, leaving the bases loaded. After another walk tied the game, Ryan Schiefer took the mound and delivered the strikeout needed.
Harris Williams got on base via walk and subsequently stole second. Nu’u Contrades took the next walk. A flyout and two strikeouts ended the inning.
Sixth Inning
Schiefer remained on the bump and went down the order keeping any Wildcats off the bag in the sixth frame. Third baseman Nu’u Contrades made a sweet snag down the third base line to make it a clean inning.
Pinch hitter Brandon Compton singled with two outs in the sixth inning by sneaking a hit past the second baseman, then Ondina found the gap to put runners on first and second. Then on a 3-2 count, Williams belted a base hit to left field to score Compton putting ASU ahead 5-4. But with runners on second and third, Contrades was unable to extend the lead.
Seventh Inning
The seventh inning saw two pitching changes, with Wyatt Halvorson entering with a runner on first and second and no outs. A double-play left a runner on third. Kansas State earned a walk and a base hit to tie the game at five with runners on first and second again. Both runners stole bases and another walk led to a fourth pitching change. Matt Cornelius came in to attempt one out with the bases loaded. He delivered, stranding three runners and closing the frame 5-5.
Ryan Campos was hit by pitch on a full count. A single to the right side by Kevin Karstettergot runners on first and second, both of which stole bases on a wild pitch. Isaiah Jacksonthen singled through the right side for his 12th and 13th RBI of the young season. With two outs, pinch-hitter Brandon Compton was walked and forced a pitching change by the Wildcats. A strikeout left the Sun Devils up 7-5.
Eighth Inning:
Cornelius took care of business in the eighth and stranded a lone runner on second base keeping the Sun Devil lead at two entering the bottom half of the frame.
Williams worked a leadoff walk to begin the frame, then a wild pitch advanced him to second base with no outs. Then a deep flyball by Contrades advanced Williams to third base with an one out. Campos hit a hard hit chopper to the first baseman, but Williams was too quick with his speed and beat the tag to give the Sun Devils an 8-5 lead. Katstetter provided more insurance with a blooper base hit over the second baseman, scoring Campos to give ASU a 4-run cushion going into the ninth frame.
Ninth Inning
A walk and a hit preceded a fly out to center field. Another walk loaded the bases. Left fielder Ryan Campos then sprinted to make a play on a fly ball, letting up one run. Another walk filled the bases again. Coming in with a batter already on a 2-0 count, Matt Tiedingsaved the day with a strikeout.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a four-game tilt against Ohio State beginning on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 PM MST. Arizona State will be on Pac-12 Network with the broadcast available at the following link. Tickets are on sale now.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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