Jaden Alba was absolutely exceptional in relief for Arizona State (31-17, 15-8 Big 12), tossing 4.0 innings of scoreless relief to earn his first save of the season and secure the win for starter Jack Martinez. Martinez labored through 5.0 innings, struggling with command but holding the Bears to just one run, shaking off his season high five walks to strike out five and scatter three hits.
Alba picked up his teammate, striking out five with one walk and one hit in arguably his best appearance of the season.
Josiah Cromwick did the rest for the Sun Devils, recording three of ASU’s four RBIs on 2-for-4 hitting while throwing out two runners trying to steal second in his first start at catcher in four games. Landon Hairstonadded two hits and an RBI.
The victory forced the rubber match tomorrow at Baylor Ballpark, scheduled for 11 a.m. AZT (1 p.m. local).
TURNING POINT
After Baylor took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third, the Sun Devils responded with a leadoff single from Jacob Tobias and HBP from Kien Vu. Two quick strikeouts and a 0-2 count to Josiah Cromwick threatened to squander the opportunity but ASU executed a sneaky double steal with Tobias getting a huge jump and both runners moving into scoring position. Cromwick responded by lacing a 1-2 pitch through the left side to plate both runs and give the Sun Devils a lead it wouldn’t relinquish at 2-1.
BIG MOMENT
Cromwick also wiped two potential runs off the base path by throwing out two runners in the game, the second coming with pitcher Jack Martinez laboring near the 110 pitch mark in the fifth inning – hosing the runner for the final out of the frame to get Martinez through five innings and setting the table for Alba to close things out.
FINAL STRAW
Jaden Alba had arguably his best game as a Sun Devil, coming in in relief in the sixth inning and absolutely shutting down the Bears attempts at a comeback. Alba faced just one batter more than the minimum in his 4.0 innings of work, striking out five and allowing just one hit and one walk and not allowing a single runner into scoring position. ASU tacked on insurance runs on RBI knocks from Landon Hairston in the seventh and Cromwick again in the eighth to give Alba some breathing room and force the rubber match.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Kyle Walker recorded a single on the first pitch of the game but ASU’s fourth double play of the series quickly wiped it off the board. King knocked a two-out single and went first to third one a two-out error. A nice play by the Baylor pitcher on a comeback chopper ended the threat, however, with no runs across for ASU. Martinez worked around a leadoff walk with a strikeout-caught stealing double play as Cromwick hosed the runner trying to take second. A two-out single and walk kept the pressure on but Martinez got out of it with a soft line drive to Ryan at third to complete the scoreless first.
Second Inning
Ryan reached on a leadoff walk but yet another double play quickly put two outs on the board and a groundout led to the minimum coming to the plate. Martinez got two quick outs but followed that with two more walks and had a full count on the next batter before getting a shallow flyout to keep the score at 0-0.
Third Inning
Hairston notched a two-out single through the right side but a lineout to center ended the top half of the frame. After a leadoff single and stolen base, Baylor struck first with a two-out RBI single but Martinez kept the damage there.
Fourth Inning
ASU responded with leadoff single from Tobias and HBP from Vu but a pair of strikeouts and a quick 0-2 count put that in jeopardy. A sneaky double steal by Tobias and Vu moved the runners into scoring position and Cromwick rallied for a 1-2 single through the right side to plate both and give ASU its first runs and lead of of the game at 2-1.
Martinez did his part in the bottom of the frame, picking up the first 1-2-3 frame of the game.
Fifth Inning
Hairston reached on a one-out walk but a King lineout and Tobias fielder’s choice led to a scoreless frame. Martinez issued a two-out walk but Cromwick picked up his pitcher by hosing the runner stealing second for the second time in the game to keep ASU on top and get out of the frame.
Sixth Inning
The Devils went down in order in the sixth. Jaden Alba entered in relief and had a very efficient 1-2-3 frame, including a pair of strikeouts to keep the game at 2-1.
Seventh Inning
ASU drew a pair of one-out walks off BU reliever Caleb Bunch, who had walked just five batters all season. Hairston made Bunch pay for the free bases, poking one to left field for an RBI single and a 3-1 ASU lead. Alba gave up a leadoff walk but bounced back to issue a double play on a broken bat ball up the middle with another groundout leading to the minimum in the frame.
Eighth Inning
Compton notched a two-out double on a tailing line drive just past the outstretched glove of the Bear centerfielder. Cromwick continued his big day with a lione drive down the left field line on the very next pitch to score Compton with his third RBI to give ASU a 4-1 lead. Alba continued his superb outing, shaking of a leadoff single with two strikeouts and a flyout to keep the Devils on top.
Ninth Inning
The top of the ASU order was unable to add to the lead despite King reaching on a two-out error. It was no matter as Alba steamrolled through the three batters he faced in the frame to lock of the save and the win for ASU.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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