(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)
Arizona State hosted the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Friday night in their second home series of the season, dropping the opener by a score of 6-1.
The Devils got on the board in the bottom of the third with an RBI double from Gage Canning, but it was all they could muster, going scoreless in the final six frames.
Spencer Van Scoyoc made his second appearance of 2018, but his start didn’t last long. He was pulled after just 2.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks. Fitz Stadler Dellan Raish came on to finish the job, with Stadler throwing 3.2 innings and Raish tossing three.
Player of the Game: Saint Mary’s starter Nick Frank. The junior hurled 7.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing seven hits and no walks while striking out nine Sun Devils.
Unsung Hero: Gage Canning. The junior outfielder continues his flaming hot start to the season, racking up four hits in Friday’s contest with two doubles and two singles. He has raised his batting average to .650 through the first five games of the season.
You knew it was over when: Saint Mary’s shortstop Conor Thorne drilled a 2-RBI single in the top of the fourth to extend the Gaels lead to 6-1.
Biggest Concern: Spencer Van Scoyoc’s continuous struggle to command the strike zone. After issuing 39 free passes in 28 innings during his freshman campaign, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native has surrendered 11 through his first two starts, including four walks and a hit batsman in his 2.1 inning start Friday.
Stat of the Day: ASU freshman infielder Drew Swift came in to this game leading the nation in on-base percentage at .813. While that will not remain the case after going 0-for-3 on Friday night, his performance in the first weekend displayed the potential he possesses to be one of the most impactful players in the lineup, in spite of being just a freshman.
What’s Next?: ASU returns to Phoenix Municipal Saturday afternoon against the Gaels in hopes of evening the series. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with senior left-hander Eli Lingos expected to take the hill for the Maroon and Gold.
