(Los Angeles, CA) Sun Devil Baseball posted its best pitching effort of the season, shutting out UCLA, 2-0, to split its midweek series in Los Angeles on Wednesday at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
The Sun Devils (7-2) picked up their first midweek shutout since 2018 and first midweek shutout over a Power Four/Five team since the 2004 season.
Derek Schaefer made his first start for the Sun Devils and was electric, tossing a career-high 4.0 innings of scoreless ball, striking out five with no walks and just two hits allowed.
Cole Carlon followed that with 3.0 innings of scoreless work with five strikeouts of his own to earn the win. Lucas Kelly and Will Koger had holds before Sean Fitzpatrick shut the door with the final two outs of the game to strand the tying UCLA (7-2) runs on the base path for his first save of the year.
Isaiah Jackson had the big hit, a two-out, two-strike RBI double in the seventh to break a 0-0 tie while Landon Hairston reached base three times in the game.
The Sun Devils will look to continue staying hot back in the confines of Phoenix Municipal Stadium this weekend,m staying in the Big Ten with a three-game series against Minnesota beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. AZT.
TURNING POINT
Derek Schaefer and Cole Carlon set the tone for the game with Schaefer earning his first start as a Sun Devil and not allowing a runner beyond first base in 4.0 scoreless innings of work, striking out five in the process. Carlon came on in relief in the fifth inning and continued the tren, working three scoreless innings of work with five strikeouts and also not allowing a runner past first base to give ASU a chance to pull ahead late.
BIG MOMEN
Landon Hairston drew a two-out walk in the top of the seventh, his third time reaching base in the game and moved into scoring position on a nice downball read – the first runner in scoring position for either team in the game. Isaiah Jackson took time to reset on a 2-2 count and responded with a huge knock to deep right field over the outstretched glove of the outfield for the go-ahead RBI double. A HBP and infield single would load the bases and keep the two-out rally going. Beckett Zavorek doubled the lead with a infield single back up the middle to give ASU some breathing room at 2-0.
FINAL STRAW
Carlon got a huge stop-after-score with a 1-2-3 seventh. Lucas Kelly pitched an efficient 1-2-3 eighth. UCLA tried to mount a ninth-inning rally, getting the tying run on the base path with one out behind a walk and a single. Fitzpatrick entered the game for the second-straight day to shut the door, however, getting a foul out and fly out for his first save of the year.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
It was a bullpen day for the Sun Devils with Derek Schaefer making first first start as a Sun Devil (and just second in his career) and setting the tone for the day with four scoreless innings. UCLAentered the series ranked 10th in the country averaging 11.0 runs per game entering the two-game series before being shutout by t combination of Schaefer, Cole Carlon, Lucas Kelly, Will Koger and Sean Fitzpatrick.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Both sides went down in order in the first with Derek Schaefer getting some help from his defense on a sweet diving snag in right from Vu before getting a strikeout and executing a PFP.
Second Inning
Landon Hairston was ASU’s first baserunner on a one-out walk, but a strikeout and caught stealing would end the frame with the minimum. Schaefer stranded a two-out infield single with his second punchout of the game.
Third Inning
Manny Garza picked up his first hit of the season with a line drive single into the gap in right center but a tough luck lineout double play would lead to the minimum coming to the plate. Schaefer continued to roll, striking out the side to keep the score at 0-0
Fourth Inning
Contrades gave one a ride to the warning track to lead off the frame but a nice play in the gap robbed extra bases in what would be another 1-2-3 frame from the ASU bats. Schaefer, working into the fourth inning of the first time in the sophomore career, stranded a one-out single.
Fifth Inning
Hairston reached for the second time with a line drive off the pitcher’s foot with one out but that was the extent of the action. Cole Carlon entered the game in relief, stranding a two-out walk with a strikeout to keep things netted at 0-0.
Sixth Inning
Contrades reached with a two-out walk but would be stranded at first with a strikeout. Carlon issued a two-out single but got his fourth strikeout to strand it there.
Seventh Inning
Hairston reached for the third time on the day with his second walk with two outs and moved to second on a wild pitch – the first runner in scoring position for either team on the day. Isaiah Jackson would reward the move with a two-out, two-strike double just past the right fielder’s outstretched glove to make it 1-0. A HBP and infield single would load the bases with two outs
Eighth Inning
A one-out walk from Compton unfortunately led to the second lineout double play after Tobias hit one right on the screws to the second baseman, who doubled up Compton at first. Lucas Kelly entered the game and kept UCLA on its toes, working a 1-2-3 frame to keep it 2-0.
Ninth Inning
The Sun Devils were unable to extend their lead with another 1-2-3 frame. UCLA tried to mount a late rally, getting a leadoff walk and one-out single to get the tying run on the basepath and bring Sean Fitzpatrick into the game. Fitzpatrick – who also threw a scoreless inning of relief last night – was unfazed by the quick turnaround, getting a foul out and strikeout to earn the save and the win.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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