Matt Polk delivered the walk-off hit as Arizona State secured a 14-13 win over Utah in a wild game two of the weekend series.
(Phoenix, AZ) No. 20 Sun Devil Baseball shook off a disastrous top half of the ninth inning and earned a walk-off 14-13 victory to even the series against Utah on Saturday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Arizona State (25-11, 8-6 Big 12) entered the ninth inning with a seven-run lead before finding itself in a one-run deficit entering the bottom half of the frame after the Utes (17-14, 6-8 Big 12) plated eight runs to potentially set up one of the most gut-wrenching losses in recent (or even distant) memory for the Sun Devils.
The offense remained unfazed with its extra half inning of work, however, spurred by PJ Moutzouridis’ leadoff homer to tie the game at 13-13 before walking things off on Matt Polk’s one-out, bases-loaded RBI single to force a rubber match on Sunday.
Landon Hairston assumed the nation’s lead in homers with his 21st and 22nd of the season, recording five RBIs and moving within five homers of Mitch Jones’ single-season school record of 27 in 2000. Coen Niclai had his second game-tying grand slam of the week and Nu’u Contrades added a homer as well.
Thirteen of Arizona State’s runs scored via the long ball with Polk’s walk-off single to end the game the lone exception.
Alex Overbay was forced into early relief in the contest and gave the Sun Devils 3.0 innings out of the pen when they needed it most after falling into a hole of four or more runs for the fourth consecutive game. Sean Fitzpatrick and Finn Edwards provided 2.0 scoreless innings of work with four strikeouts and just two hits.
Photo – Sun Devil Athletics
Inning by inning
First inning
Taylor Penn started the game off for the Sun Devils, giving up a leadoff homerun. After a walk, Penn was able to get a double play to erase the runner. Another walk gave the Utes a two-out baserunner, and the runner moved to second on a stolen base. Penn was able to get a strikeout to end the frame, with Arizona State trailing 1-0.
Despite Austen Roellig reaching on a walk, the Sun Devils were unable to produce anything in the first inning.
Second inning
Penn got back to work for the Sun Devils where he gave up a single. The runner stole second before advancing to third on another single by Utah. The Utes made it 2-0 after the runner at second was caught stealing and the runner on third advanced. No further damage was done as the frame ended on a flyout.
Dominic Smaldino reached on a single before advancing to second on a groundout, however the Sun Devils were unable to score any runs as the inning ended on a flyout to right field.
Third inning
Back on the mound, Penn struck out the first batter before allowing a walk. A groundout moved the runner to second, and a wild pitch allowed the runner to go to third. Utah picked up another run on a single, and a double made it 4-0, Utah. The Sun Devils went to the bullpen, bringing in Alex Overbay, who was able to get a pop out to end the inning.
The Sun Devils went down in order to quietly end the inning.
Fourth inning
Despite giving up a two-out single, Overbay worked a scoreless inning, as he tacked on the final out as he caught the runner stealing.
A single by Nu’u Contrades, Matt Polk reaching on a fielding error, and a single by Smaldino loaded the bases for the Sun Devils. Coen Niclai promptly tied the game with one swing, launching a grand slam. Following this, Sam Myers knocked a single in the infield before advancing to third on a single by PJ Moutzouridis. Landon Hairston then gave the Sun Devils the lead with a three-run blast to deep right center, making it a 7-4 lead. Roellig then reached on a walk, but a double play subsequently ended the inning.
Fifth inning
Overbay returned to the mound and retired the side, striking out two.
Smaldino reached on a two-out double, but was left stranded as a groundout ended the frame.
Sixth inning
After back-to-back singles opened the inning, both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. One run scored on a sac fly to narrow ASU’s lead to two. A groundout got the second out, and a hit by pitch put runners on the corners. Sean Fitzpatrick came in for relief, and recorded the final out of the inning as a double steal attempt resulted in an out at home.
Myers opened the frame with a single, but a fly out and double play ended the inning for the Sun Devils.
Seventh inning
Overbay remained in the game for Arizona State, pitching a scoreless inning.
Roellig got the inning started for the Sun Devils, reaching on a fielding error. Utah then made a call to the bullpen after giving up a single to Dean Toigo. Another single from Smaldino loaded the bases for ASU, but no runs scored after a fly out by Niclai left all three runners stranded.
Eighth inning
Finn Edwards entered the game and gave up two walks and a single to load the bases before Derek Schaefer relieved him. Schaefer was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout.
Arizona State continued to get on base with a single from Myers. Following an out on Moutzouridis for batter’s interference, Hairston smacked another homerun to give ASU a 9-5 lead. Both Roellig and Toigo reached base when Contrades knocked in another homerun to extend the lead even further. A new pitcher was brought in for the Utes who immediately issued a walk to Polk, but he was thrown out rounding second on a single from Smaldino. An additional walk was issued to Niclai. Both runners advanced before the inning concluded on a fly out.
Ninth inning
As he returned for the ninth, Schaefer gave up a leadoff homerun. Schaefer loaded the bases with two walks and a single with one out. Three additional runs were scored on consecutive singles, reducing ASU’s lead to 12-9. Colby Guy entered the game for Arizona State, getting a groundout allowing for another run to score. After giving up two straight walks, Eli Buxton came in to replace Guy. Buxton gave up a single, allowing two runs to score, giving Utah a 13-12 lead before the frame ended on a strikeout.
Moutzouridis led off with a solo homerun to tie the game. In the next at bat, a walk was issued to Hairston who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Roellig was intentionally walked. Toigo was issued a walk to load the bases, which led to a new pitcher being brought in for Utah. A strikeout by Beckett Zavorek marked the first out of the inning. Arizona State walked off the game 14-13 on a single by Polk.
Up next
The Sun Devils complete their weekend series, hosting Utah on Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. AZT and the game will be streamed live via ESPN+ and also available over the local airwaves on KDUS 1060 AM. Arizona State will then remain at home, welcoming rival Arizona for a midweek game at Muni on Monday at 6:35 p.m. AZT.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
Click on Logo
