After a cagey few innings, the Ohio State bats got hot in the fifth, taking a 3-1 lead off a triple and a home run. Going on to score multiple runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, Ohio State didn’t leave much chance for a comeback, despite Campos’ three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth.
UCLA transfer Ben Jacobs got his first start as a Sun Devil and struck out the first three batters. Over 4.2 innings, he threw 74 pitches and struck out eight batters while allowing four hits and a walk for three earned runs. The Sun Devils would record 13 strikeouts as a crew. On the flipside, the Sun Devil offense couldn’t solve Buckeye ace Landon Beidelschies, who tossed 7.0 innings one one-run ball, striking out seven with no walks and just three hits.
An unusually quiet night for the Sun Devil bats that produced 47 runs over their first four games, ASU recorded only five hits. Steven Ondina recorded his third multi-hit game of the season. Kevin Karstetter launched a ball to the right fence for ASU’s first triple of the season, but was left stranded. Ryan Campos launched his third home run of the season, bringing in three runs in the bottom of the eighth.
TURNING POINT
Leading 1-0 with two outs in the top of the fifth, Arizona State allowed a triple and a home run to net three Ohio State runs. Sophomore pitcher Sean Fitzpatrick came into the game and stopped the bleeding with a strikeout.
BIG MOMENT
In the seventh, the Buckeyes sent hits over the right and left fences to add three runs on to their lead. Catcher Ryan Campos completed the throw to second to catch a runner and escape the inning down 6-1.
FINAL STRAW
After the Sun Devils cut the lead to four in the bottom of the eighth, the Buckeyes recorded a double, two walks, a hit by pitch, and a single to put three more runs on the board. Two strikeouts and a groundout in the bottom of the ninth ended the game 11-4.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Ben Jacobs kicked off his first start of the year and first as a Sun Devil by striking out Ohio State’s first three batters.
Hit by the first pitch, Harris Williams quickly stole second and advanced to third after a deep fly to right field. A strong groundout to the pitcher by Ryan Campos brought Williams home for an early Sun Devil lead.
Second Inning
Isaiah Jackson got under a deep fly to center field and Kevin Karstetter fielded a grounder at third base to record the second out. After a walk, Jacobs recorded his fourth strikeout of the night.
After a strikeout, a deep fly to left from Isaiah Jackson was caught and Josiah Cromwick’sgrounder up the middle was stopped by the second baseman for the third out.
Third Inning
Strong defense continued into the third, with Jacobs throwing his fifth and sixth strikeouts before Josiah Cromwick got behind a line drive to right field.
A single down the left side wasn’t enough for Steven Ondina, as he was left stranded after stealing second.
Fourth Inning
After a two-out single down the left side, Jacobs delivered a seventh strikeout to close the frame.
With two outs, Kevin Karstetter bombed a ball that bounced off the right fence for a triple. A strikeout would strand him on third.
Fifth Inning
A double from Ohio State was followed by a deep fly to get the runner on third. With two outs, a triple and a homer put the Buckeyes up 3-1 and brought sophomore pitcher Sean Fitzpatrick in the game to get the third out. He delivered a strikeout.
After reaching on an error, Steven Ondina attempted to steal second as the pitcher tried to catch him out at first. He couldn’t beat the throw from first, ending the inning.
Sixth Inning
After a foul out, the second Buckeye was hit by pitch. He was stranded on first after a pop up to second base and a fly out to center field.
A quick 1-2-3 with a strikeout and two groundouts ended the inning.
Seventh Inning
The seventh inning saw two homers from Ohio State, netting three runs. Ryan Camposmade the throw to second to catch a runner stealing and get out of the inning.
Jacob Tobias singled through the right side, but was stranded.
Eighth Inning
After two groundouts, Ohio State found singles and a walk to become RBI’s off of a double. A third groundout would end the frame with Arizona State trailing 8-1.
Steven Ondina recorded his second hit of the day with a single up the middle. Ethan Mendoza was walked with two outs, setting up for a three-run homer from Ryan Campos to bring the score to 8-4.
Ninth Inning
A double to left center was followed by a groundout bringing the runner to third. The Buckeye scored on a wild pitch. Two walks and a hit by pitch were followed by a two-run single through the right side. Eddy Brok struck out the next two batters, leaving the Sun Devils down 11-4.
The first two batters were struck out, and a groundout to third base ended the game.
ON DECK
Sun Devil Baseball comes right back to Phoenix Municipal Stadium tomorrow for game two of the four-game series against Ohio State. Friday’s game will begin at 6:30 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on ASU Live Stream-2. Tickets are on sale now, or available at a BOGO discount for Date Night at the Ballpark.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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