(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Coming off a 7-4 win Friday night against the Oregon Ducks, Arizona State played one of its best all-around games of 2018 as the team cruised to an 18-4 victory, clinching their first Pac-12 series win of the season.
It was an offensive hit parade as the Sun Devils produced 10 runs in the first three frames.
ASU (10-9, 2-0 Pac-12) jumped ahead to an early lead with 5 hits in the first inning to score four runs off of Oregon (12-6, 0-2 Pac-12) starter James Acuna. Gage Workman’s two-out two run single stretched the lead to 4-0 after one. Drew Swift’s speed and Carter Aldrete’s clutch hitting scored two more for ASU in the second as they gave Vander Kooi a six run cushion after two.
As the night wore on, it was a familiar leader, Gage Canning, that caught the eye of the 3,027 fans at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. His quick play in the field, three-run home run in the third and a rare inside the park home run in the fifth.
The night continued as Taylor Lane led off the fourth with a pinch hit home run, as ASU led 12-0 after four.
Freshman righty Boyd Vander Kooi toed the rubber for ASU tonight dominating the hill pitching five innings and allowing just one hit and no runs. He ended the night with the Devils up 13-0.
Innings went by and ASU scored runs including Spencer Torkelson’s 10th long-ball of the season in the sixth, to cap off a five run inning.
While many ASU players had a great night in the team’s blowout victory, sophomore southpaw Spencer Van Scoyoc struggled in relief, giving up 2 runs in the eighth and ninth.
The Sun Devils looked they were having fun in the midst of a stellar all-around contest. They grabbed 22 hits, and won by a final score of 18-4.
Today’s victory moves the Devils over .500, to 10-9 on the season.
Player of the Game: Gage Canning may have played the best game I have ever seen. He launched a three run homer, hit his eighth triple of the season, reached base safely six times (5 for 5) and played a great game in the field as well…oh he also had an inside the park homer too.
Unsung Hero: Drew Swift made several strong plays in the field and was the defensive rock ASU has been looking for. He also used his speed to his advantage, racing around the bases and forcing errors to score in the second inning.
You knew it was over when: Can I say the first pitch? I mean the game was just an absolute onslaught of ASU power, matched with a masterful performance from Vander Kooi.
Biggest Concern: Spencer Van Scoyoc struggled, as he has all season long. He gave up two runs in relief.
Stat of the Day: The story of the day, 18 runs and 22 hits.
What’s Next: The Sun Devils will battle the Ducks once more this weekend, with first pitch scheduled for 12:30pm MST Sunday.
