The Sun Devils took the lead in the second inning with a Ryan Campos home run and a sloppy defensive play by the Ducks that allowed Brandon Compton to round third and score. They expanded their lead by two in the third inning after back-to-back solo home runs from Nick McLain and Jacob Tobias put the Sun Devils up 4-1.
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens, in just his second start, gave up three earned runs on four hits over his 4.1 innings. The ASU bullpen played well for a majority of the night, with Ben Jacobs retiring five batters in a row via strikeout over the sixth and seventh inning.
But after trailing since the second inning, Oregon put up two runs in the fifth to get within a run and hit a two-run homer in the ninth to retake the lead for good. ASU put runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t complete the rally ending a streak of 56 straight victories when leading after eight innings dating back to 2022.
TURNING POINT
With momentum in ASU’s favor in the bottom of the fourth, a play at the plate led to a Sun Devil out despite a lengthy video review to determine if there was obstruction that should have allowed the runner to score. Instead of a two-run lead and a runner at second with only one outs, ASU didn’t push any runs across in the frame, setting up the start of the Ducks’ come-from-behind effort. Oregon put themselves within striking distance in the fifth inning with a solo home run of their own. With runners on first and second, a single to right field brought the score within one before a fly out ended the frame with the Sun Devils leading 4-3.
BIG MOMENT
Down to its final two outs in the ninth, Oregon sent a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a passed ball. With only one out, a home run over the left center field wall claimed their first lead since the second inning. Another runner on third scored on a single to right center. The inning ended with an Oregon runner caught stealing at second, but with ASU trailing 6-4.
FINAL STRAW
After putting up four runs early, the Sun Devils entered the bottom of the ninth without scoring in the previous five innings. Isaiah Jackson sliced what looked to be surefire extra bases into left center but an incredible diving catch from the Oregon center fielder robbed him of that. Josiah Cromwick singled to right field, and reached second by a muffed throw on a fielder’s choice that allowed Harris Williams to reach first. Ethan Mendoza hit another one on the screws that unfortunately went right at the Duck right field and a game-ending pop up left both runners stranded.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Adam Behrens began the night with a strikeout. A throwing error put Oregon on first, but the runner was stranded on a high pop up to shortstop. The Sun Devils got one on base via walk, but Nick McLain was left stranded.
Second Inning
Oregon put a runner on with a one-out single through the left side. After advancing to second on a groundout, a single up the middle brought the Duck home. A walk put runners on first and second, but a pop up to second base left them stranded. Responding quickly to the deficit, Ryan Campos led off with a bomb over the right field wall. Brandon Compton was walked, and Mario Demera struck a single to right field for his first hit of the season. With runners on first and second, Jax Ryan reached on a fielder’s choice as Oregon attempted a double-play. An overthrow to first base allowed Brandon Compton to circle third and score, but Ryan was thrown out at second to end the inning.
Third Inning
Oregon’s batters went down in order. After a foul out and groundout from ASU batters, Nick McLain and Jacob Tobias each launched solo home runs to bring the score to 4-1 after three.
Fourth Inning
With two outs and runners on first and second due to walks, Ethan Mendoza dove for a line drive towards second base and got enough of the ball to pick it up and catch the runner out at first. Demera stepped up for a one-out double. He would be tagged out attempting to reach home on a deep single to center field from Isaiah Jackson. Jackson was left stranded on second.
Fifth Inning
After an Oregon home run and single, Ben Jacobs came out from the bullpen. Behrens’ 4.1 innings ended with four hits, three runs, three walks, and one strikeout on 81 pitches. Jacobs allowed a walk and an RBI single to right field before a fly out left Ducks on first and third. ASU batted the minimum.
Sixth Inning
Ben Jacobs struck out the side. Campos reached on an error, but was left stranded.
Seventh Inning
After throwing his fourth and fifth strikeouts in a row, Jacobs walked two. A fly out to right field ended the inning. Jacobs’ 2.2 innings saw one hit, zero runs, three walks, and five strikeouts over 58 pitches. Harris Williams earned a walk, advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt, and reached third on a throwing error, but was stranded there.
Eighth Inning:
Senior pitcher Hunter Omlid took the mound, and walked the first batter. Isaiah Jacksonthen got under three deep flies to center field to leave the Ducks with one frame to even the score. Ryan Campos singled through the left side and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A strikeout ended the inning scoreless.
Ninth Inning
Oregon opened up the scoring in the ninth, with a two-run homer over the left center field wall. After an Oregon runner stole second and third, he was batted in on a single to right center. The frame ended on a catcher to second base pickoff.
ON DECK
ASU closes out the series against Oregon with a 12:05 p.m. AZT first pitch tomorrow at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Preston Fekkes
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