After allowing four runs in the opening inning against Cal Berkeley, Arizona State’s offense powered them to a 14-8 win.
The first game of a three-game home series for the Sun Devils saw junior left-handed pitcher Matt Cornelius get the nod on the mound. Cornelius struggled, as he allowed two runs without getting an out. He was taken out after walking back-to-back Golden Bear hitters on eight straight balls.
Short on options, ASU head coach Willie Bloomquist went to the bullpen and brought in redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Matt Tieding. The Sun Devils got out of the jam eventually but another two runs came in for California from two sacrifice flies.
Cal’s starter, graduate left-handed pitcher Luke Short, also had trouble. He only lasted 2.2 innings himself. Short allowed seven earned runs and allowed ASU back in the contest.
Tieding pitched five innings in relief for ASU and didn’t allow an earned run to California. The right-handed pitcher also struck out four batters.
Tieding’s stellar performance led to him receiving the game ball after the win.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Sean Fitzpatrick pitched three innings in relief of Tieding. Fitzpatrick surrendered two hits while he punched out five batters. Tieding and Fitzpatrick combined for eight innings in relief and neither allowed a Golden Bear to cross home plate.
Without the performances from that bullpen duo, ASU was on its way to another ugly loss in Pac-12 play.
“Those two guys saved us tonight,” Bloomquist said. “Was excited for those guys to give us that opportunity and excited for the offense to get going.”
The Arizona State offense came alive in the second inning and never looked back. Sophomore outfielder Isaiah Jackson got the two-out rally started by doubling off the wall in left-center field bringing in a run.
Senior infielder Mario Demera followed up Jackson by legging out an infield single to cut the Golden Bears lead in half making the score 4-2.
The third inning served as the turning point in the game for the Sun Devils. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Nick McLain opened the floodgates for ASU as he launched a three-run home run into the Golden Bear bullpen to give Arizona State its first lead of the game at 5-4. McLain finished with five RBIs on the night.
Graduate student Eamonn Lance was slotted fifth as the designated hitter in the Sun Devil batting order. With only four plate appearances coming into this evening’s contest, Lance made the most of his opportunity. The Santa Clara transfer hit a two-run homer into left-center to give ASU a 9-4 lead. Lance also recorded a double and had three RBIs in the game.
“He made me look bad,” Bloomquist said. “Which is good. Go out there and put in that kind of day up it’s like where has this kid been all year?”
Lance alluded that it’s been tough not getting as many opportunities but has powered through the growing pains of his new role.
“My mental toughness is what got me through it,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot of great skills coming through a program like Santa Clara and the frustration was there but that just fuels me more.”
In the bottom of the 7th inning, freshman infielder Ethan Mendoza widened the Sun Devils lead to eight with an RBI single grounded up the middle. The next inning Jackson continued his offensive prowess with a two-run homer run into the ASU bullpen in right field making the score 14-4 in favor of Arizona State.
The Sun Devils had freshmen right-handed pitchers Josh Butler and Jaden Alba end the game. Butler did struggle, allowing a grand slam to junior catcher Caleb Lomavita.
Arizona State will look to pick up another win against California tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
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