(Photo: Dominic Cotroneo/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils (20-14) head to Palo Alto, Calif. to take on the Stanford Cardinal (13-16) this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. ASU is coming off their first midweek win in April, as they defeated the UNLV Rebels on Tuesday, 5-2. The Sun Devils have won their past four conference series and can continue their climb up the Pac-12 standings with a fifth straight win. Stanford had a walk off win over St. Mary’s on Tuesday, winning their second game in a row.
Thursday, April 17, 6 p.m. PT
Projected Starters: LHP Brett Lilek (3-2, 2.23 ERA) vs. RHP Brett Hanewich (1-3, 3.48 ERA)
Sophomore southpaw Brett Lilek has been ASU’s most consistent starter this season. Lilek will go into Thursday’s game coming off a seven-inning performance against Cal where he gave up six hits and two runs while striking out five and walking none. In 48 1/3 innings, Lilek has struck out a starter-high 46 and walked 20 with a 2.23 ERA.
Pitching for the Cardinal will be Brett Hanewich. The 6’3” freshman has struck out 22 and walked 15 in 41 1/3 innings so far this season.
Friday, April 18, 6 p.m. PT
Projected Starters: LHP Ryan Kellogg (4-2, 4.07 ERA) vs. RHP Cal Quantrill (3-3, 3.20 ERA)
Left-handed Canadian sophomore Ryan Kellogg will be on the bump for ASU Saturday night. Kellogg has thrown a team-high 55 1/3 innings. His ERA of 4.07 is accompanied by 35 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Another Canadian will face Kellogg, as Stanford will put freshman Cal Quantrill on the mound. Quantrill has thrown a team-high 50 2/3 innings and has struck out a team-high 42 batters. The freshman has only walked 16 and has had one complete game.
Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. PT
Projected Starters: RHP Darin Gillies (1-2) 4.47 ERA vs. LHP John Hochstatter (4-1, 2.84 ERA)
Junior right-hander Darin Gillies solidified his Sunday starter status with seven shutout innings against Cal, allowing only two hits, striking out a career-high six in the process. This season in 44 1/3 innings, Gillies has struck out 35 while walking 17 to compile a 4.47 ERA.
On the mound for Stanford will be John Hochstatter, the only non-freshman starter the Cardinal have had all season. Chris Viall had been the Sunday starter previously, but Hochstatter’s performance last Sunday against Washington secured his spot. The junior has thrown 25 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts and 12 walks.
Bats to Watch:
For ASU, Nate Causey leads the team with a .361 batting average. Dalton DiNatale has both a team-high 41 hits and a team-high 29 RBIs, with the ever-clutch RJ Ybarra right behind him with 28. Trever Allen has three homers on the year. The Sun Devils are batting .293 as a team.
The Cardinal are lead in batting average by Alex Blandino and Austin Slater who both have a .317 average. Blandino also leads Stanford in hits with 33 and home runs with four. Slater has a team-high 19 RBIs. Stanford is collectively batting .249.
