INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Max Arlich took the mound for the Sun Devils in his first career start, picking up an easy ground out on the first pitch he threw. He retired the next batter on a fly out to left, before giving up a double to left center. Arlich then induced a ground ball to first for the third out, confirmed after replay review.
Kien Vu led off for ASU, doubling down the right field line. Matt King fouled out to the catcher, and Vu advanced to third on an error. Brandon Compton walked, and Jacob Tobias flew out to the warning track in right center to drive in Vu, giving the Devils an early 1-0 lead. Isaiah Jackson popped out to first base to end the inning.
Second Inning
Arlich returned to the mound for his second inning of work, giving up a leadoff single to right field, and followed it up with a four-pitch walk. He got an out on a bunt to the catcher, and then struck the next batter out. Arlich then issued a two-out walk, loading the bases. He was able to get out of the jam with his second strikeout of the evening.
Nu’u Contrades singled into left to lead off. Landon Hairston struck out, and Brody Briggs was hit by a pitch to get on first. Beckett Zavorek grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Third Inning
Jonah Giblin entered in relief of Arlich and worked a scoreless frame despite some traffic on the bases.
After a few foul balls, Kien Vu unloaded on a fastball and deposited a 400 foot solo shot to push the lead to 2-0. The Devils had nothing to show after Vu’s home run, but held a 2-0 lead after three innings.
Fourth Inning
Giblin pitched another clean inning for the Sun Devils, bookended with strikeouts to keep the lead at 2-0.
The Devils struggled to get anything going in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Hairston laced a single up the middle, but Briggs grounded out to end the frame.
Fifth Inning
Giblin worked his third consecutive scoreless frame, keeping zeroes on the board for UNLV.
Kien Vu once again took liftoff, this time with a 395 foot opposite field bomb. His second home run of the night stretched the Devils lead to 3-0. Brandon Compton later joined in on the fun, smoking a line drive into the ASU bullpen for his third homer of the season to give ASU the 4-0 advantage. Jacob Tobias reached on an infield single and tried to make his way home on an Isaiah Jackson double, but was gunned down at the plate to end the inning.
Sixth Inning
Cole Carlon was the next man out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils, relieving Giblin. He pitched a scoreless top of the sixth, issuing back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
Contrades started off the inning with a walk, then stole second. He advanced to third on a groundout, then came around to score on a wild pitch, tacking on another run to the Devils’ lead. Kyle Walked hit a two-out single up the middle, and Vu struck out, ending the inning with ASU up 5-0.
Seventh Inning
Carlon returned for his second inning of action. He ran into a bit of trouble after a single and a walk set up runners on second and third with UNLV aiming for their first run. The southpaw escaped the jam with a massive strikeout that left him and the team fired up headed into the stretch.
Jacob Tobias tried his part in sparking a two-out rally after ripping a double in the gap. A flyout of Isaiah Jackson ended those hopes as the first seven innings concluded.
Eighth Inning
Lucas Kelly took the mound for the Devils in the top of the eighth, pitching a clean inning despite some traffic. He also picked up two strikeouts.
The Devils continued to tack on runs, stringing together two hits and a walk to load the bases. Vu lifted a sac fly to center field, driving in a run, and King singled to left field to score another run, increasing the lead to 7-0. Compton lined out to center to end the inning.
Ninth Inning
Derek Schaefer toed the rubber in the ninth to slam the door on UNLV. He did just that, nailing down the final three outs in just seven pitches to secure the win.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening statement
“Obviously it’s nice to have one like that where we weren’t sweating bullets down to the last pitch. But it just kind of attributes to the depth that we have hopefully this year and guys that are bouncing back and being able to pitch a couple times a week is nice as well. There’s some other guys that we haven’t been able to get on the mound as much as we want, in addition to the guys that have pitched too, so we’re kind of trying to figure out opportunities for those guys as well as put them in situations where they’re going to have success as well. But it is nice to have some options.”
On the pitching staff teaming up for a shutout
“Step in the right direction. We still walked a few guys today, but all in all they attacked the zone. Lucas Kelly found a little bit of a slider today which was a big, big thing for him being able to land that. (Cole) Carlon threw the ball very well again. Jonah Giblin does what Jonah does. He just comes in, calms the waters, puts up zeros and gives our offense a chance to get going. That was great. And then Derek Schafer, the way he’s been throwing the ball lately – I’m kind of torn on whether or not to keep him at that back end or start him because he can do either or, but he’s been very impressive the past few outings.”
On Max Arlich’s debut
“Great to see Max, he’s such a great kid. Works extremely hard, just kind of been eager and waiting for his opportunity. I thought it was the right time to start him and give him a shot to start. I figured that would be better than bringing him out of the pen and having him too amped up, at least to get a chance to foresee the whole day and hopefully calm himself down a little bit. The ball came out outstanding in the first inning, second inning, he got into a little bit of trouble but was able to make some big pitches when he had to, and we got him out of there with some success. Didn’t want to go much more than 45, maybe 50 pitches on him. That was probably enough for his first time out. The smile on his face was priceless, so I was really excited for him.”
On Kien Vu’s performance
“He’s a dynamic player and obviously had a great year last year, but he’s not satisfied. He wants to keep getting better and do more. (He) hasn’t gotten off to the hot start that he’s wanted to, but today was a great step in the right direction for him. Put him up in the leadoff spot today and he was able to respond very well. I’m excited for him.”
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
