Every player that saw an at-bat got a hit for the Sun Devils (20-9), who recorded 14 runs on 14 hits. Five different players had multiple RBIs and four recorded multiple hits as ASU put up a crooked number in five of six innings to put the mercy rule into effect after the top of the seventh.
Kyle Walker recorded his 17th straight game with a hit and had multiple hits for the 10th time in the last 13 games. Walker, Landon Hairston and Nu’u Contrades each had two hits and two RBIs. Brandon Compton had a three-run blast in the first inning and Jacob Tobias added two more RBIs to his team-leading total of 32.
Wyatt Halvorson tossed two scoreless innings in his start as part of a bullpen day. After Fullerton rallied for a three-run fifth, Cole Carlon and Will Koger shut the door, retiring the six batters they faced in order to seal the deal after ASu extended the lead to 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth.
On deck is a massive rivalry series against No. 22 Arizona this weekend at Muni. The three-game series gets underway on Friday at 6:30 p.m. AZT on ESPN+. Sunday’s 5 p.m. AZT finale will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
TURNING POINT
The offense got off to a hot start to kick off tonight’s matchup. The bases were quickly loaded for the Sun Devils, in prime condition to take advantage of a big-inning opportunity. Jacob Tobias was the man to get things going, as he connected on a sac fly, bringing in a runner on a sac fly line drive. Then came Brandon Compton, who launched a 465-foot moonshot onto the practice field in right center for a three-run homer to give ASU an early 4-0 advantage. The red-hot start fueled the rest of the batting order, as the Sun Devils never let the foot off the gas.
BIG MOMENT
The Sun Devils seemed to never lose sight of momentum heading into the fourth inning with an eight-run lead. After the Titans were able to record their first run of the night in the top of the frame, the torch was passed to the offense, who took advantage of the opportunity. The Sun Devils ran up another four-run inning with the help of an RBI single from Kien Vu, followed by an RBI double from Brody Briggs. The party kept rolling as Kyle Walker recorded an RBI groundout, followed by another RBI single from Landon Hairston. Arizona State ended the inning with an eleven-run lead and never looked back.
FINAL STRAW
Cole Carlon entered the sixth with a sizable lead, but the southpaw was not taking any chances. Carlon worked a shutdown 1-2-3 frame in just eight pitches to tighten the grip of momentum held by his team. He would return for the seventh, facing and retiring one batter before handing the ball to WIll Koger. Koger picked up where Carlon left off and slammed the door to record the final two outs of the mercy rule shortened game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brandon Compton gave the Sun Devils the momentum they needed to kick off the first inning of tonight’s matchup. The left-handed slugger stepped up to the plate with two batters on base and launched a 465-foot moonshot onto the practice field in right center for a three-run homer to give ASU an early 4-0 advantage. The sophomore finished the night with two runs scored and three RBIs, also adding a walk.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Wyatt Halvorson issued a leadoff walk but then worked around it untouched. An assist from Brody Briggswas key as he gunned down the leadoff man trying to steal second, where Halvorson picked up a strikeout to end the inning.
The Sun Devils loaded up the bases before the Titans recorded an out after a pair of singles and a walk. Jacob Tobias plated the first run of the evening on a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Kyle Walker. Brandon Compton was next to the dish and absolutely unloaded, sending a 465 foot three-run home run deep into the Muni sky. The Sun Devils caused some more traffic on the bases but weren’t able to add on as the inning then closed, 4-0, advantage ASU.
Second Inning
Halvorson picked up right where he left off and struck out the first batter for his third of the night. The Titans soon got to Halvorson and connected on back-to-back singles. A grounder snuck past Halvorson and found its way to Kyle Walker, who was able to take advantage of a double-play opportunity to end the top of the frame.
Kyle Walker transitioned over to offense and immediately made an impact with a single through the right side to keep the momentum rolling for the Sun Devils. Landon Hairston reached first by way of catcher’s interference, followed by a sac-fly to advance Walker to third for an opportunity to score. Jacob Tobiasstepped up to the plate and delivered an RBI single to left field, with Hairston reaching home off a fielding error by the left fielder. The Sun Devils could not keep the party rolling, ending the inning with a six-run lead.
Third Inning
Derek Schaefer was the first man out of the pen, working a 1-2-3 inning while adding a strikeout to keep a zero on the board.
After working multiple lengthy at-bats, the Sun Devils were able to load the bases again, all via walk. This time, they cashed in as Nu’u Contrades lifted an RBI double that plated another pair of runners to extend the lead to 8-0. Jacob Tobias ended the inning with a loud flyout to the track to end the threat.
Fourth Inning
Cal State Fullerton was able to get things going at the top of the third, connecting on a double to left center that led to an advancement to third due to an error in the outfield. An RBI single through the left-field line followed to get the Titans on board. Schaefer remained poised under pressure and closed the frame, holding onto an 8-1 lead.
After Brandon Compton reached first by way of a walk, Matt King delivered with a single to center field. Kien Vu poked an RBI single through the right side, increasing the Sun Devils lead to eight runs. It didn’t just stop there, as Brody Briggs joined the party with an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 10-1. A groundout by Kyle Walker brought another runner home, followed by an RBI single up the middle from Landon Hairston to increase the lead to eleven runs. Nu’u Contrades closed the inning with a flyout to end the momentum for the Sun Devils.
Fifth Inning
Alec Belardes was next in relief for the Devils, making his first appearance since opening weekend. Belardes inning was cut short and Max Arlich was handed the rock after just one batter. The Titans were able to get to Arlich, tagging him for back-to-back singles that scored a pair. CSF would add another run by way of sac fly before the top half closed with ASU still in command 12-4.
The Sun Devils didn’t score and went down in order for the first time of the night to end the fifth.
Sixth Inning
Cole Carlon was the next man up from the bullpen to kick off the top of the sixth and immediately made an impact, retiring the Titans in a 1-2-3 manner.
The Sun Devils got back on track in the seventh with back-to-back singles that led to an advancement due to a throwing error. Kyle Walker stepped up to the plate and recorded an RBI sac fly to increase ASU’s lead to 13-4. An RBI single from Landon Hairston followed to give the Sun Devils a ten-run lead. The rest of the batting order could not keep the momentum rolling, leaving Arizona State with a comfortable 14-4 lead.
Seventh Inning
Carlon returned to action, retiring the lone batter he’d face. Will Koger’s name was called to keep the line moving and end things by way of mercy rule. He delivered, picking up the final two outs to put a stamp on the ballgame.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening Statement
“We came out, set the tone offensively, which was great, continued to add on and scored enough runs to get it done early. It was a good win all the way around. We found out some things that we needed to and guys needed to throw the ball well. Offensively (we) had a pretty good approach tonight, so all around pretty pleased.”
On message to the team prior to the game
“I think this is one of those games that I challenged our guys before the game. We’re not playing U of A yet, we’re playing Cal State Fullerton. I kind of gave them a little bit of a history lesson about the old rivalries with ASU and Fullerton. I’m like, ‘man, they were just as heated as Arizona vs. Arizona state rivalries.’ Back in the day they used to throw us in the regionals against each other every year on the West Coast and those were back in the day. I said these two programs historically don’t get along really well, but there’s a lot of mutual respect for each other and don’t take this lightly. This is not one of those games we’ve done in the past two weeks in our midweek, so let’s put an end to that and go out and take care of business and how they responded was outstanding.”
On bounce back efforts after a tough few midweek games
“I’m glad we came out and played well in a midweek. It’s been a while since we have. It’s been a challenge, that’s the challenge of college baseball. 18 to 22 year old kids play an intense weekend games and then you have to turn around and play a midweek where it’s maybe not a big crowd or maybe it is a big crowd. We had a great crowd here a couple of weeks ago against USC. We just laid an egg that game and that wasn’t good. Last week at UNLV you’re playing in a AAA stadium. It’s a beautiful stadium and we didn’t show up there either. That’s the challenge is getting these guys ready to come off of an emotional weekend and come back and bounce back and play against teams that are coming in here to beat you. This is a big game for Fullerton. It’s a big game for UNLV, USC. Those are big games. They’re coming in here to beat us. We have to match the intensity, and if we do, usually we’re in pretty good shape, but that’s been the challenge.”
On message heading into Arizona series
” It’s going to be an electric environment. I think we’re close, if not to sellouts on Friday and Saturday. This is why you come to Arizona State. The crowds are going to be huge, the games are going to be very intense, as we know, but at the end of the day, stick to your game. Play your game, don’t let the external distractions take you away from what we do best. Focus on us, focus on how we play and the rest to take care of itself.”
NEXT UP
Arizona 4/4/2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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