ASU Baseball: Ducks-Sun Devils series has big Pac-12 implications

(Photo: Gabrielle Mercer/WCSN)

The red-hot Arizona State Sun Devils will have a prime opportunity to take their third-straight Pac-12 series this weekend at home against the Oregon Ducks.

Both teams currently sit at 9-9 in the conference and are two games behind leaders Washington and Utah. ASU most recently completed a three-game series sweep of non-conference opponent New Mexico, while the Ducks just took two of three against Washington State and defeated San Diego on Monday.

Despite trying plenty of options, the Sun Devils’ pitching situation isn’t completely settled, even though they are moving closer to a solution. Seth Martinez and Eli Lingos seem to have the Friday and Saturday spots locked down, while Zach Dixon has made three consecutive Sunday starts. Eder Erives, however, came in relief for him early in his previous start. Erives’ usage will depend on if the Sun Devils find themselves ahead and in high leverage or save situations in the series.

Meanwhile, the Sun Devil offense has stepped up as of late. The team scored 20 runs in its sweep against Stanford and 17 against the Lobos, although it was shutout by Arizona in between those two series.

Colby Woodmansee and David Greer continue to lead the offense, but the past few weeks have seen the development of a few key freshmen, Gage Canning and Tyler Williams. Canning has raised his average from .235 to .272 since April 17. Williams has been inconsistent at times, but has gone from a player who struggled for playing time to a mainstay because he is the most reliable option in left field.

Outside of their questionable bullpen, fielding has been an ongoing weakness for ASU. It has committed the most errors among all teams in the conference, led by 10 from second baseman Andrew Snow and eight apiece from Woodmansee and Greer.

On the other hand, Oregon has lacked a consistent bat in the lineup. The only player hitting over .300 is Jake Bennett, who has hit at a very respectable .333 clip, but doesn’t have enough at-bats to qualify among the Pac-12 leaders.

The Ducks’ home run leader, A.J. Balta, sports a lackluster .296 OBP and is eighth in batting average, hitting just .207.

The Ducks’ offense sits last in the Pac-12 in most hitting categories, such as batting average (.231), doubles (49) and hits (284).

Their rotation has had its ups and downs, but one thing they have going for them that ASU has lacked is stability. David Peterson, Matt Krook and Cole Irvin have all made at least nine starts this season. Martinez is the only Sun Devil that has started that many games. Peterson and Irvin have been the best of the trio.

Peterson has struck out 46 batters in 49 and 2/3 innings while posting a 3.08 ERA. Irvin has been the workhorse of the staff and sits at fourth in the Pac-12 in innings pitched, just behind Martinez.

If the Ducks have a lead in the ninth inning, they will more often than not win the game. Junior closer Stephen Nogosek has a 0.96 ERA and 11 saves. He has also struck out 31 hitters and walked just seven in 28 innings.

In a battle between one team that features strong hitting and another that has impressive pitching, it should result in an intriguing series that may take one of these two completely out of the Pac-12 race, while moving the other even closer to the top.

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