After sweeping UCLA on the road last weekend, Arizona State baseball returned to the friendly confines of Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Friday night to start a nine-game home stand. Up first was a three-game series against USC.
While both teams sat with identical records, the Trojans came in with a better showing in conference play, including a series win over No. 9 Oregon State four weeks ago.
But the Sun Devils (21-21, 11-11 in Pac-12) continued their momentum, as they beat the Trojans (20-22, 10-8 in Pac-12) 12-1 in the series opener to win their fourth consecutive game.
“It was a good one,” ASU head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “It was kind of crazy with the weather, kind of eerie around us with all the lightning going on and everything … So, I was happy our guys showed up well.”
Sophomore pitcher Ben Jacobs made his third consecutive Friday start on the mound. The lefty, who won against his former team in last week’s appearance, threw 106 pitches and 11 strikeouts while allowing seven hits and one run in 7.1 innings.
“I’ve been able to get into a seven-day routine now,” Jacobs said. “Get adjusted, get my treatment right for a post-start … It’s mainly just getting into a routine with arm care, recovery, catch play, stuff like that.”
After starting the season as a reliever, Jacobs has found his groove as the Friday starter.
“All in all confidence,” Bloomquist said on Jacobs’ improvements this season. “Just attacking the zone, trusting his stuff, you know…It was fun to watch him throw. He did a great job.”
On the other side, the Sun Devils produced thunder-like swings as lightning dotted the left-field sky. Junior first baseman Jacob Tobias broke the deadlock in the second inning with a solo home run the opposite way. Then, senior infielder Mario Demera doubled the lead with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Bloomquist’s top of the order added three more runs from singles in the third. Leadoff hitter, and junior catcher Ryan Campos, notched an RBI before redshirt sophomore outfielder Nick McLain, who batted third, drove in two runs.
Sun Devil infielders added two more runs in the third inning. Freshman Ethan Mendoza logged an RBI triple and returned home with a single off the bat of senior Mario Demera.
Campos added to his RBI total with a solo shot to start the bottom of the fourth inning.
“We’re gonna be rolling the dice a little bit more,” Bloomquist said. “What do we have to lose at this point? Just roll the dice, put the game in motion, be ready to hit and run, run and hit, steal, squeeze, that type of stuff.”
With ASU up 8-0, USC head coach Andy Stankiewicz pulled his starting pitcher Tyler Stromsborg. The senior righty exited the mound after giving up 10 hits and eight runs while only striking out one batter in 3.0 innings pitched.
After the Sun Devils and Trojans traded solo shots, senior infielder Steven Ondina hit a three-run dinger.
Redshirt senior pitcher Matt Tieding, who replaced Jacobs in the seventh inning, remained on the mound until the end of the game. He allowed two hits and zero runs while striking out three batters.
The Sun Devils outhit the Trojans 15-9 as every starter for the home side reached the bases. Sophomore outfielder Isaiah Jackson led the way going 4-for-4.
“It was looking good today,” said Jackson, whose perfect performance coincided with his father’s birthday. “I was getting pitches to hit, and just letting them get deep so I can see a little better.”
ASU will look to extend its winning streak to five against USC tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. MST. Senior pitcher Connor Markl will be on the mound as the Sun Devils look to gain momentum.
“This thing is cyclical, man,” Bloomquist said. “The pitchers help the hitters. The hitters help the pitchers. When things are going well, (when) defense is picking everybody up, this is obviously a recipe for winning baseball.”
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