(Photo: Dominic Cotroneo/WCSN)
It only takes one player to change the course of any single game. That is Andrew Snow’s mindset, one the 6-foot-1, 165-pound freshman describes as his motivation.
“That’s the thing my dad would always talk to me about,” Snow said. “It doesn’t matter who it’s going to be, but there just needs to be somebody out there that’s continuously working hard and just trying to make things happen.”
Snow, who usually sits at the bottom of the order in the No. 9 spot, has been the unlikeliest of contributors for Arizona State this season. It didn’t take long for Snow to show his value in the bottom of the lineup. Snow has recorded 17 runs and 18 RBI on the season, along with .385 on base percentage and a .945 fielding percentage. He sits at fourth on the team in batting average with a .324. Head coach Tracy Smith said Snow has been a pleasant surprise that has done more than the organization initially expected him to do.
“He started the season on the bench but now he’s slid in there,” Smith said. “What I love about him is how he plays the game hard. He’s got a good, antagonistic personality to the other team, which I enjoy. He’s that guy you look across and say ‘ah I hate that guy,’ if you’re on the other team, but he helps you win. He’s played well and provided a lot of offense for us at the bottom of the order.”
The second baseman overcame a slow Fall and became a dark horse in ASU’s batting order. Back in April, Snow had the go-ahead home run against the University of Utah that broke a 3-3 tie in extras and marked his first home run in his collegiate career.
Two series later, Snow’s bat was on fire, and he proved the vital factor in securing the victory against Washington. Snow collected two hits and two RBI, one that was reminiscent of his Utah stint, breaking another 3-3 tie in the seventh that would become ASU’s winning run.
Not long after Smith recognized the momentum Snow could add to his lineup and promoted him to the No.2 spot in the order and to starting second baseman.
“I was just waiting for my shot because I’m a freshman and it’s tough to get in the lineup but when I finally got my shot to play at second base I just ran with it,” Snow said. “You don’t get too many opportunities to try and prove your spot so when I was in there I was just focused in, locked in, and I got things going. I feel like I definitely proved my spot.”
The second baseman did not have as much success in the weekend series against Pac-12 leader UCLA. This was mainly for two reasons. One, the freshman has yet to face pitching as good as the flame-throwing UCLA staff who took two of three in the series, and one in 17 innings. And two, Snow is unaccustomed to playing this frequently without a break.
However, the team’s morale-booster did not let this bother him, nor does he view his constant movement within the order as a demotion. Rather, he maintains his unwavering confidence to be the guy to get things done, no matter where he bats in the order.
“I’m always confident at the plate,” Snow said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m batting second or ninth, it’s all about the pitching for me. If I can get some tells on some pitchers then it doesn’t matter where I am, I’m feeling good. When I come up to bat I’m just trying to do everything I can to make something happen and give us our best chance to win.”
Snow will be critical for ASU in its final two series of the regular season against Washington State and USC. ASU dropped from No. 2 in the Pac-12 to No. 4 behind both USC and California. However Snow said he will continue to be the guy his dad frequently talks of coming into the final games.
Because, it only takes one.
“I always have pretty high expectations for myself. At first my goal was come in and make the team.” Snow said. “As soon as I made the team I was trying to earn my spot in the starting lineup and I just went like that. I just kept setting new goals trying to break new barriers. Now we’re coming down the homestretch and I just want to keep winning and hopefully have a shot at Omaha.”
You can reach the author on Twitter @KristinaV_18 or by email at kvicario@asu.edu
