Photo: Gabe Mercer/WCSN
The back end of Arizona State baseball’s season-opening doubleheader was anything but ordinary, but in a back-and-forth error-filled affair, the Sun Devils ended the night with a two-run ninth inning rally and a 4-3 walk-off win.
Junior Ryan Hingst got the start for ASU, and certainly got no help from his defense as he gave up one hit and struck out 3 over 4 innings, but departed trailing 3-0 on three unearned runs.
The Sun Devils were able to return the favor to Northwestern in their half of the fifth however, as Gage Canning went first-to-third on a thrown away pick off attempt from Richard Forden, then scored on Snow’s sacrifice fly.
The score was cut to 3-2 in the seventh thanks to an RBI single from left fielder Ryan Lillard, plating Snow.
ASU came within inches of taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run home run from Tyler Williams, instead Jeremy McCuin was gunned down at home trying to score from first.
In the bottom of the ninth Snow redeemed himself for his three errors as he singled home Canning from second to tie the game at 3.
Player of the Game:
Andrew Snow. Coming back from a three-error game to get the game-tying hit in the bottom of the ninth will do a lot to lift the spirits of any player
Unsung Hero:
Fitz Stadler. In his first action of the season the sophomore hurled 2.2 innings of scoreless relief following Hingst, keeping ASU within striking distance when it appeared early on that the night could turn ugly in a hurry.
You Knew It Was Over When: Sebastian Zawada singled home Garvin Alston, Jr. from second base for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth
Biggest Concern:
(5) errors for the ASU defense, three from Andrew Snow at third, one from McCuin at shortstop and one from Carter Aldrete at second.
Stat of the Night: All three of Northwestern’s runs were unearned
What’s Next?:
Game 3 of the series is tentatively scheduled for Saturday at noon, with Sunday as a fallback date in the case the game gets rained out.
