(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
In the series finale of opening weekend for Arizona State, the Sun Devils dropped the game to Miami (Ohio) by a score of 16-8.
Freshman Brady Corrigan made the start for ASU. After a clean first inning, the right-hander surrendered a whopping eight runs in the second, but only three were earned.
Corrigan was pulled after 1.2 innings of work, giving up five hits and two walks while throwing just 38 pitches.
Tracy Smith staffed the bullpen for the remainder of the contest, with Chaz Montoya, Jake Godfrey, Fitz Stadler, Connor Higgins, and Grant Schneider combining to throw the final 7.1 frames.
The Devils offense was able to push across two runs against RedHawks starter Grant Hartwig in his two-inning outing, including the first run of the game on a Lyle Lin RBI single in the bottom of the first.
They plated an additional six runs throughout the next seven innings, three coming off wild pitches from Miami relievers Logan Schmitt and Jay Wilson. But it would ultimately not be enough to mount a comeback. ASU left a total of 10 men on base.
Player of the Game: Landon Stephens. The Miami third baseman went 2-for-5 with four RBI’s, all coming on a grand slam off Corrigan. He also contributed a walk and scored twice.
Unsung Hero: Gage Canning. The junior continues to dazzle, going 3-for-3 with two singles a double, and a walk. Canning has collected a total of nine hits on the season, while currently holding a .562 batting average.
You knew it was over when: Landon Stephens hit a tape-measure grand slam in the top of the second inning to extend the RedHawks lead to 8-1.
Biggest Concern: Defensive miscues. ASU committed three errors in the game, which all led to RedHawk runs. Two came in the second inning and the other occurred in the top of the third.
Stat of the Day: Each of the four ASU starters allowed three earned runs or less in their outings in the series. This is a positive sign for a pitching staff that posted a combined 5.53 ERA in 2017.
What’s Next?: The Sun Devils travel to Scottsdale, Arizona on Wednesday to square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks for an exhibition game at Salt River Fields before hosting the St. Mary’s Gaels for a weekend series Feb. 23-25.
