(Phoenix, AZ) The Battle for the Valley Part Two tonight at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Both teams about to finish their regular season slates. GCU came in at 30-21 overall. Against in state teams, they’re 2-1 against the Arizona Wildcats and beating the Sun Devils on April 22nd at GCU. It payback time for Sparky and the final regular season home game for ASU.
ASU is currently in second place in the Big XII at 18-9 two games behind league leading West Virginia and 34-18 overall.
First Inning
The Antelopes got their leadoff hitter Wakefield aboard on a walk. Barreras hit into a fielder’s choice. Pelc struck out and Peery flew out too right field and left the runner stranded.
Chance Key started for GCU. Kyle Walker flew out to left center field, Landon Hairston grounded sharply to first base and initially lost the foot race to the bag but the play was reviewed and was ruled safe. Matt King followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. Jacob Tobias grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the bottom half of the inning.
Second Inning
Devils pitcher Max Arlich struck out Diaz. First ball swinging, Scalderferri homered over the left center field wall with the wind blowing in for the game’s first run. Ohland also struck out. Troy Sanders grounded out to second to end the inning. GCU 1-0.
Kien Vu looped a single to right center to leadoff and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Josiah Cromwick struck out swinging for the second out. On an 0-1 pitch, to Brandon Compton, Vu stole third. Compton got on with a walk to put runners at the corners. Isaiah Jackson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jax Ryan hit into an inning ending double play to leave three runner stranded.
Third Inning
Brady Sexton popped up to the second baseman. Wakefield grounded out to third. Barreras ended the top half of the inning with a fly ball to left field.
Walker ran the count full before striking out looking on a low fast ball. Hairston grounded out to second base. King homered to straightaway center field to tie the game. Tobias doubled to right field and the throw got away from the second baseman allowing Tobias to advance to third base. Vu hit a sharp ground ball into right field for a double scoring Tobias. Cromwick grounded back to the mound to end the inning. ASU 2-1.
Fourth Inning
Pelc led off with a walk causing Coach Bloomquist to change pitchers to Josh Butler. A wild pitch advanced Pelc to second base while Peery struck out. Diaz singles down the left field line with Pelc to third base. Diaz caught stealing at second base. Scaldeferri walked to put runner at first and third base. Ohland struck out to end the threat leaving two on base.
Compton led off with a shot over the center field wall. Jackson struck out looking. Ryan bunted to the left side for a base hit and advanced to second base on a throwing error on the pitcher Key. Ryan advanced to third on a wild pitch. Walker got a base on balls to put runners at the corners. Hairston gave it a ride to the left field that was dropped scoring Ryan and putting Walker at second base. Double steal now with runners both in scoring position at second and third bases. Ground ball to the shortstop scoring Walker and Hairston going to third base. Tobias ended the inning with a 4-3 ground out. ASU 5-1.
Fifth Inning
Sanders led off with a single to right field. A routine ground ball to the shortstop was booted for an error putting Sexton on first and Sanders in scoring position at second base. An RBI single to left field by Wakefield scored Sanders and advanced Sexton to third but Wakefield was thrown out at second base trying to stretch it. Barreras grounded to shortstop scoring Sexton. Pelc struck out looking to end the inning. ASU 5-3.
Vu popped out to third for the first out. Cromwick followed with a strikeout. Compton fouled out to third to end the inning.
Sixth Inning
Kelly Lucas came into pitch for ASU. Perry led off with a groundout to third base. Diaz struck out swinging. Scaldeferri struck out to end the top half of the inning.
GCU sent Billy Gregory into pitch for Key. Jackson took the ball out of the yard to right field. Ryan popped out to second base. Walker doubled to center field. Walker stole third base. Hairston hit a hard fly ballout to right field scoring Walker. King doubled in the left center field power alley. Tobias walked to put runners on first and second bases. Vu was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Cromwick flew out to deep left field and left the bases juiced. ASU 7-3.
Seventh Inning
Ohland struck out looking to start the inning. Sanders doubled to right field. Sexton walked to put runners on first and second bases. Wakefield doubled to left field scoring Sanders and sent Sexton to third. ASU changed pitchers to Cole Carlon. Barreras singled to right field scoring Sexton. Barreras stole second base that put the tying run in scoring position. Barreras scored on a Pelc triple down the right field corner. Peery got on base on an error by Carlon. Diaz drew a walk to put runners at first and third bases. Scaldeferri struck out looking to end the inning. ASU 7 GCU 7.
Compton ran the count full before lining out to left field. Jackson walked and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Ryan doubled down the left field line scoring Jackson. A wild pitch put Ryan at third when he stumbled and the throw by the catcher sailed over the head of the third baseman to score Ryan. Walker followed with a home run to left field. Hairston went back to back over the wall in left field. King grounded out to the shortstop. Tobias walked. Barrett Skaugrud came into to pitch for GCU. Vu singled to right field and Tobias took the extra base to third. Vu to second base on a passed ball. Cromwick walked on four straight pitches that loaded the bases. Compton worked to a full count before he walked in a run scoring Tobias. Jackson busted his second homer of the game to right field for a grand slam. Jax was hit by a pitch. Justin Hanson came into pitch for the Antelopes. Walker doubled to left center to complete a ten run inning and a run rule victory for the Sun Devils.
FINAL SCORE ASU 17 GCU 7
Wrap Up
This was a big offensive game with each team used four pitchers. After ASU blew a four run lead in the top of the 7th inning, they redeemed themselves by with a dominating bottom of the inning with a ten run answer and a run rule win.
Isaiah Jackson’s big bat saw him go 2-3 with two homers and the second one coming in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and 5 RBI for the game.
The two Valley Schools split their head to head matchups, each winning on their home field.
This was more than just a come from behind beatdown, it kept the Sun Devils’ momentum going forward as they finish up the regular season on the road in Stillwater Oklahoma on a three game winning streak.
The Sun Devils set a single season attendance home record with 119,956 fans.
The Big XII Baseball Tournament begins May 20th in Arlington Texas.
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