After allowing 11 runs, 13 hits, nine walks, and committing four errors in Sunday’s series finale, Arizona State fell to Southern California 11-6.
The first two games of the three-game series saw stellar performances from Sun Devils’ sophomore left-handed pitcher Ben Jacobs and senior left-handed pitcher Connor Markl. Jacobs pitched in Friday’s contest with 6.1 innings pitched and 11 strikeouts. Markl threw six innings on the mound and surrendered only three hits during Saturday’s game.
Errors were not an issue for ASU as they only had one combined in the first two games against USC. However, the four errors suffered on Sunday let two Trojans score and let innings amount to further damage.
With the bases loaded in the top of the third inning with one out, senior infielder Steven Ondina attempted to turn a quick double play to get the Sun Devils out of the inning. Ondina’s throw from second to first found its way over the ASU dugout which cost them two runs. Southern California went up 4-0 and added another two runs before the third frame came to a close.
Arizona State head coach Willie Bloomquist commented on the error.
“He had to go for a double play there,” Bloomquist said. “We had a big situation and he knew he had to be quick. To me that error is okay because he was trying to make a play.”
Looking to close out the series with a sweep, the Sun Devils gave the nod to freshman right-handed pitcher Wyatt Halvorson on the mound on short notice. Senior right-handed pitcher Hunter Omlid was supposed to start Sunday’s contest but he injured his foot. Halvorson lasted only 2.2 innings on the bump and six hits brought home six earned runs. Furthermore, the Trojans scored more runs in the first three innings than they scored in the first two games combined.
Bloomquist talked about the last-minute decision to start Halvorson.
“Today sped up on everybody a little bit,” Bloomquist said. “With Omlid not being able to go last minute. It stung a little bit..but we have to be better than that.”
Another costly error occurred in the top of the eighth inning. With runners on first and second with two outs in the inning, junior infielder Jacob Tobias made a diving stop to his right on a ground ball. At first, it looked like a run-saving play but the throw to first base did not translate. The throw to redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Jonah Gilbin went over his head, allowing a Trojan to cross the plate.
Junior catcher Ryan Campos then tried catching a runner advancing to third and nobody was covering home for ASU and another USC run came home. These two errors hurt the Sun Devils’ chances of coming back into the game.
With UC San Diego coming to Phoenix Municipal Stadium next week for a two-game series, Arizona State will look to clean up its defensive and pitching mishaps.
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