(Phoenix, AZ) Sun Devil Baseball secured another series sweep with a historic 29-4 victory, as 15 different hitters collected hits and five had multi-hit days.
Arizona State (11-4) scored both early and often, putting up 29 runs on LMU, complete with 23 hits, 11 walks, four doubles, and six home runs. The near-30 run day tied for the sixth-most runs scored in a game in Sun Devil history.
The offensive explosion saw the Sun Devils send at least nine batters to the plate in three separate innings, scoring in seven of eight innings and scoring multiple runs in six of them. 16 hitters had plate appearances, 15 hitters picked up RBIs, and 14 hitters scored at least one run. The Devils only struck out six times in the victory.
Starting pitcher Kole Klecker gave up some barrels early, giving up a run in each of the first three innings but limited the damage while letting his offense handle the rest.. Six arms from the bullpen combined for five innings of one-run baseball, keeping the Lions hitters from mounting any sort of comeback.
Turning point
After LMU took an early 1-0 lead to kickoff the first frame of the game, ASU wasted no time connecting with the center of the barrel on its way to a five-run first inning. With two runners on base, Nu’u Contrades delivered the equalizer with an RBI-double down the left field line. Garrett Michel followed that up with an RBI groundout, giving the Sun Devils a 2-1 lead with one out remaining. Beckett Zavorek was the next man up and found the sweet spot of the bat, homering a 353-foot, two-run homer to left field. The early statement from Zavorek also marked his first career home run as a Sun Devil. The run party didn’t stop there, as Dean Toigo connected on a 451-foot moonshot to deep right field to extend Arizona State’s lead to 5-1.
Photo – Sun Devil Athletics
Big moment
In the fourth inning, leading 9-3, the Sun Devils put together a huge inning to firmly put the game out of reach. Sending 13 batters to the plate, Arizona State faced three different LMU pitchers and collected eight hits in the inning. Austen Roellig led off with a double, Garrett Michel singled, and Beckett Zavorek was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting the stage for Coen Niclai, who singled in two. Sam Myers singled to load the bases again, allowing Landon Hairston to deliver the big blow, a grand slam to left field – his second of the season. The hit parade didn’t stop there, as PJ Moutzouridis doubled and Dominic Longo homered to make it 17-3.
Final straw
With the game getting out of hand and the Sun Devils continuing to extend their lead every inning, Arizona State was able to get some younger players at-bats. In the seventh inning, freshmen Finn Leach and Ryan Darrah each delivered RBI-singles, marking the first collegiate hit and RBIs for both. Freshman Jaxsyn Durst contributed an RBI-groundout, and Cooper Clouser had an RBI-single in the eighth – the first RBIs on the careers as well. Additionally, Niclai picked up his first home run as a Sun Devil, a solo shot in the fifth inning.
Photo – Sun Devil Athletics
The big number
29 – The Sun Devils put up 29 runs in a historic offensive showing on Sunday afternoon, tied for the sixth-most in a single game in program history. It was the most since scoring 30 vs. Western Illinois on March 13, 2005.
The 25-run margin of victory was tied for the eighth-largest in program history as well.
The 29 runs surpassed LMU’s previous program record of runs allowed of 25 set back in 2002.
ASU recorded runs in seven of eight innings at the plate and multiple runs in six of those. Barring results from around the country on Sunday, the contest will be tied for the sixth-most runs scored by a team in Division I this season. Of those six other instances, LMU is the only team currently ranked in the Top-150 in D1 RPI. ASU is the first Big 12 team to break 25 runs this season.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Brooklyn Cohen and Zach Romesburg, Sun Devil Athletics media relations interns
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