(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Friday night, the Arizona State Sun Devils took down the Washington Huskies by a final score of 4-3, powered behind a Gage Canning walk-off double. Here’s how the game played out.
Alec Marsh started for the Devils, and Lucas Knowles for the Huskies.
Ben Baird’s beautiful sac bunt scored Levi Jordan in the top of the second and was shortly followed by a bloop single to left from Braiden Ward scored K.J. Brady, giving the Huskies an early 2-0 lead.
The Devils got on the board in the bottom half of the third, as Carter Aldrete ripped a two-out single to right, scoring Spencer Torkelson. Lyle Lin then grounded out, stranding runners at the corners.
A deep Torkelson home run tied things up in the fifth, his 22nd of the season. That homer gave Torkelson the freshman Pac-12 record for home runs in a single season.
The Devils gained some momentum following Torkelson’s shot, as they loaded the bases with just one out, looking to take the lead. A screamer up the middle was beautifully fielded by Levi Jordan, resulting in an inning ending double play.
Torkelson scored again in the seventh on a Carter Aldrete double play. But the Huskies responded quickly as Joe Wainhouse slapped a bloop single off Dellan Raish, who came in relief for Marsh. The run scored was Marsh’s runner, ending his night with three earned runs.
Gage Canning launched a gap-shot to left-center field in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, scoring Torkelson for the walk-off win.
Player of the Game: Gage Canning. A walk-off deserves the Player of the Game.
Unsung Hero: Alec Marsh pitched very well tonight, throwing 7.1 IP and allowing three earned runs while fanning six Huskies.
You Knew It Was Over When: Canning launched the first pitch of his at-bat into left-center in the bottom of the ninth
Biggest Concern: ASU left seven runners on in the first five innings.
Stat of the Day: 22, Torkelson’s 22nd home run of the season tonight gave him the all-time Pac-12 freshman record.
What’s Next?: The Sun Devils will continue their three-game bout with the Huskies Saturday and Sunday.
