Nu’u Contrades went 4-for-6 with three runs scored for the Sun Devils (17-9, 5-2 Big 12) while freshman Landon Hairston went 2-for-5 with three RBIs – including two huge ones in the ninth inning. Matt Kingadded a 3-for-5 day with two RBIs. Kyle Walkeradded another two-hit day and Brandon Comptonadded two RBIs.
Every Sun Devil starter recorded a hit in the game. ASU recorded five doubles in the contest and had 17 hits – the second most it has had this season.
Ben Jacobs was solid with 6.0 innings with four runs against with just five hits and posting five strikeouts. Jonah GIblin gave ASU 2.0 innings of relief, making a huge defensive play to get a lead out at third on a sac bunt in the eighth while also getting Utah (13-11, 2-5 Big 12) to ground into an inning ending double play with the bases loaded and just one out.
ASU will look to clinch its third-straight series to open Big 12 play tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. AZT (2 p.m. local). There is, however, a chance for inclement weather in the SLC area all afternoon so fans should stay tuned for any schedule changes.
TURNING POINT
Utah rallied for down 3-0 and 4-3 to tie the game both times, evening the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth. ASU immediately had an answer for that, getting a pair of doubles from Jacob Tobias and Matt King to reclaim the lead and then adding a big insurance run in the eighth on a Walker double and Hairston RBI single to leadoff the frame to make it 6-4.
BIG MOMENT
With ASU holding on to a 6-4 lead, Utah led off the eighth inning with a solo shot to cut the lead to one. A walk and a single put two on with no outs and Utah attempted to sac bunt both into scoring position but Jonah Giblin made a huge play off the mound, turning and getting the lead out at third. After another single loaded the bases, Giblin made the biggest pitch of the game as he got Utah to roll over into its third double play of the game to end the inning and keep ASU on top.
FINAL STRAW
The Sun Devils put the game away in the ninth with singles from Matt King and Jax Ryan to put runners on the corners with one out. Brody Briggs laid down a perfect safety squeeze bunt that turned into an RBI single to make it 7-5. Walker was hit by a pitch to load the bases and after Landon Hairston took a pair of huge hacks with no contact, he tomahawked the third pitch through the shift in the left side, playing two runs and making it 9-5. Lucas Kelly made sure there was no late drama, setting down the side in order in the bottom of the ninth.
PLAYER OF THE GAM
Nu’u Contrades had a season-best four hits and three runs scored, going 4-for-6 with an RBI. Contrades had a hit and scored a run on each of his first three plate appearances in the game. He also added an RBI in the contest.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Hairston drew a one-out walk and stole second, scoring on a full count Contrades RBI hustle double. Contrades would move to third on a Tobias groundout and score on a Compton two-out single to make it 2-0. Jacobs worked around a one-out HBP that advanced to second on his failed pickoff to post another scoreless first for the Sun Devils.
Second Inning
Ryan reached on a strike three wild pitch but that was the extent of the action for the ASU offense. Jacobs worked around a leadoff walk for a scoreless frame.
Third Inning
Contrades notched his second hit with a one-out single. He’d go first to third on a Tobias angle after that and score on King’s two-out single to make it 3-0. Utah responded in the bottom half with a leadoff single, triple and double and then a one-out RBi single to tie the game at 3-3. Jacobs was able to get out of the frame without further damage with a huge inning-ending double play to stop the bleeding.
Fourth Inning
Ryan wore the first pitch off the elbow, moving to third on a groundout and sac bunt but would be stranded there on an impressive diving catch from the left fielder down the line on a Hairston line drive. ASU picked up its second double play of the game in the bottom of the frame, aided by a runner’s interference to keep things tied at 3-3.
Fifth Inning
Contrades led off the fifth with his third hit of the game and moved into scoring position on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Tobias walked to put runners on the corners with no outs. Contrades scored on a Compton sac fly to regain the ASU lead. ASU would end up stranding two in the frame, leaving the lead at one. Jacobs worked his first 1-2-3 frame of the game to keep ASU on top.
Sixth Inning
Walker worked a one-out double and took third on a groundout off the pitcher’s foot but would remain stranded there. Utah led off the inning with a seven pitch walk and a double down the right field line put runners on second and third with no outs. Jacobs limited the damage to just one run on a sac fly, evening the score at 4-4.
Seventh Inning
Tobias led off the seventh, welcoming the new Utah pitcher to the game with a double. King notched a second double with one out, of the bloop variety, just passed the outstretched glove of a diving center fielder to allow Tobias to score and reclaim the lead. Jackson worked a full count walk after fouling off several pitches and King took third on a wild pitch to put runners on the corners with one out. Jackson would steal second but both runners were stranded in scoring position with a strikeout and flyout. Giblin entered the game in relief for Jacobs, working a solid 1-2-3 frame with a strikeout and pair of groundouts.
Eighth Inning
Walker recorded his second double of the game to lead off the inning, scoring on Hairston’s RBI single to extend the lead to 6-4. Contrades’ fourth hit of the game moved Hairston from first to third but ASU got doubled up on a lineout to second and a bang-bang play at first stranded the runner at third as ASU was unable to add anymore insurance. Utah sent the first pitch of the bottom out of the park to get back within 6-5. A walk and seeing eye single put two more on with no outs. A head’s up play by Giblin on a sac bunt attempt got the force on the lead runner at third. A single loaded the bases with one out but Giblin got the Utes to ground into their third double play of the game to keep the 6-5 lead.
Ninth Inning
King led off the frame with a single and took second on a failed pickoff attempt by the new pitcher. Ryan recorded an infield single to put runners on first and third and Brody Briggs laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score King and make it 7-5. Walker was hit by a pitch and Hairston came up with the big knock, tomahawking a ball through the left side to score two and make it 9-5. Lucas Kelly made sure there was no late inning theatrics, setting the Utes down in order.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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