After a doubleheader sweep on Friday and rain-postponed game three, Arizona State pulled out the series sweep over Northwestern, winning 6-2 after late-inning heroics.
The 2 and 1/3 innings played on Saturday saw one run scored for each team before the rain began to pour, resulting in a 1 hour and 37 minute rain delay that resulted in the game being postponed until Sunday.
Lyle Lin broke the one-run tie in the 3rd inning when he singled to left field, scoring Gage Canning. Northwestern quickly tied the game back up in the top of the 4th, then the score stayed tied at 2 until the bottom of the 8th.
Jeremy McCuin doubled to left center in the bottom of the 8th, scoring Ryan Lillard and Taylor Lane, then two batters later, pinch hitter Sam Ferri put the game out of reach for the Wildcats, pushing the score to 6-2, the eventual final.
Player of the Game – Jeremy McCuin
The sophomore shortstop went 2-4 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. McCuin also had the go-ahead hit, a 2-run double in the 8th inning.
Unsung Hero – Reagan Todd
Reliving an apparently injured Zane Strand, Todd pitched the middle three innings for ASU and struck out five Wildcat batters, thanks in large part to his off-speed repertoire.
You knew it was over when:
Pinch hitter Sam Ferri doubled down the right field line, scoring Myles Denson and Jeremy McCuin, who broke the tie with a 1-out double two batters prior. Ferri’s double gave ASU a 6-2 lead.
Biggest Concern:
Zane Strand left the game in the 4th inning after recording just two outs. Given that he left with a trainer, the implication is that he left with an injury. Any time missed would be a big blow for the Sun Devil bullpen considering the freshman was the top right-handed pitching recruit in the state of Arizona coming into the season.
Stat of the Night:
Twelve different pitchers were used in the game. Eight by Northwestern and four by Arizona State. There were no pitching changes on Saturday, but the Wildcats used seven different men on Sunday, while the Sun Devils used four.
What’s Next?:
On Tuesday, ASU hosts Oklahoma State at 1pm.