The first two games of the weekend series between Arizona State and Ohio State both turned out to be blowouts. Saturday’s game looked to be trending in a different direction, before the Buckeyes turned in four runs in the seventh inning, then seven runs in the ninth inning en route to a 13-4 victory.
The story of the game from coach Willie Bloomquist was not just the bullpen allowing so many late runs. He touched on the offense just not finishing the deal.
“We had opportunities there with hitters up, that we didn’t cash in,” Bloomquist said. “We get spoiled, because we are used to those things happening.”
The bottom of the sixth inning perfectly captures Bloomquist’s thoughts.
ASU would take a 4-2 lead in the sixth frame, from an infield RBI single off the bat of senior shortstop Steven Ondina, beating out the throw from third base.
The Sun Devils would later load the bases with only one out, although a double play on the first pitch junior designated hitter Ryan Campos saw kept the scoring at just one run.
Ohio State’s defense played a big factor, as Bloomquist noted their plays in the field were deflating to the Sun Devils offense.
“They turned a couple really nice double plays that we hit hard, and took us out of innings,” Bloomquist said. “That kind of stung a little bit.”
Another one of those double plays Bloomquist mentioned was in the bottom of the eighth inning. After a leadoff single from Ondina, two batters later the inning ended on a great defensive play from Ohio State sophomore shortstop Henry Kaczmar.
Moving to his right, Kaczmar backhanded the well hit grounder and flipped an inning-ending double play, killing the momentum right there for ASU.
Any doubt that Ohio State would hold onto their lead was erased quickly in the top of the ninth inning.
An error in center field pushed the leadoff hitter for OSU all the way to third base.
After a pitching change, two consecutive walks, and an RBI single, any doubt was removed when junior designated hitter Nick Giamarusti brought home four runs with a grand slam to left field.
This prompted an “OH-IO” chant to break out among the visiting Buckeye fans, all but securing at least a series split in Phoenix, Arizona.
Allowing late runs in two of the three matchups against the Buckeyes has Bloomquist wondering what the issues are with ASU’s bullpen, and he notes how this is something the team needs to figure out quickly.
“It is something we got to figure out,” Bloomquist said. “It’s not piecing together on the backend the way we want it to right now. That’s something we need to evaluate, who are our arms that can get it done.”
Bloomquist wanted to go with freshman left hander Cole Carlon to start the ninth inning, but then the leadoff error switched things up for him and his staff, switching to freshman right handed pitcher Brok Eddy instead.
“We had every intention of going to Carlon there,” Bloomquist said. “To get a leadoff triple, all they need is contact, so we went with Brok. We are going to have to figure out that backend at some point.”
Senior left hander Connor Markl was a bright spot for ASU Saturday, going five innings allowing only two earned runs while striking out seven.
ASU and OSU finish up their series Sunday at 12:00 pm.
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