(Photo: Blaine McCormick/WCSN)
On a night honoring Arizona State all-time great Barry Bonds, the Sun Devils battled back from a 4-0 deficit to beat UNLV 5-4.
It wasn’t a smooth start for the Sun Devils as sophomore left-hander Zach Dixon couldn’t make it out of the second inning. Dixon lasted just 1 and 2/3 innings giving up four earned runs on five hits.
Alec Marsh came in from the bullpen and kept things calm for 2 and 2/3 innings, giving the Sun Devils a chance to put together some offense of their own.
And put it together they did, as Gage Canning hit a two-run triple in the second inning and ASU tacked another run in the fourth, courtesy of Zac Cerbo sac-fly.
Marsh changed the momentum and it seemed like a matter of time before the Sun Devils would catch the Runnin’ Rebels and in the bottom of the sixth inning, designated hitter Tyler Williams channeled his inner Barry Bonds as he belted a two-run home run over the left-field fence.
From that point on, the Sun Devils never looked back.
Conor Higgins pitched the final 4 and 2/3 innings masterfully, not giving up a single hit while striking out 6 Runnin’ Rebels.
Player of the Game: Tyler Williams. Number 25, made Bonds (who wore number 25 for the majority of his career proud as he hit the two-run bomb that gave the Sun Devils their first lead in the game in the sixth inning.
Unsung Hero: Connor Higgins. The left-handed reliever went 4 and 2/3 innings, without allowing a hit. Higgins got the win and struck out
You Knew It Was Over When: Higgins came back out for the ninth inning. Higgins hadn’t allowed a hit and it was clear he had all his stuff working. He struck out the side in the ninth.
Stat of The Day: Relievers Marsh and Higgins combined to go 7 and 2/3 shutout innings only surrounding three hits while striking out six UNLV batters.
What’s Up Next?: The Sun Devils will stay in Phoenix and await conference rival UCLA who travels down south for a three-game weekend series starting Friday, March 31.
