(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
As the lights shone down on Phoenix Municipal Stadium on a chilly Arizona night, the Sun Devils of Arizona State prepared for battle with the Toreros of the University of San Diego.
Both starting pitchers appeared to struggle with command early in the game, leading to early exits for Sam Romero and Noah Owen. For the Sun Devils’ senior Sam Romero, one and one-third innings was all he would last, throwing only 55% strikes.
“We would have liked to get a little more from Sammy, but we were going to break it up anyway,” Sun Devil head coach Tracy Smith said.
Noah Owen pitched only one inning, and similar to Romero struggled with control, leading to an early end to his night. The early exits for both starting hurlers would be a sign of what was to come.
However, following junior left-hander Chaz Montoya working his way out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning, the Devils would not look back and began what would be another potent offensive performance.
Sophomore Trevor Hauver looked to improve upon his already impressive .625 OBP as the Sun Devils leadoff man. He would collect three more walks on the season, coupled with a single, moving his OBP up to .636.
With the amount Hauver has been able to reach base this season, it is exactly what you would hope for out of your leadoff hitter, especially with a hitter of Torkelson’s caliber right behind him.
Coach Smith acknowledged the job Hauver has been able to do at the top of the lineup. “It’s a great formula because if he is getting on base, it forces them to pitch to Torkelson…everyone has a job to do. [Hauver’s] role is to get on base by any means necessary,” Smith said.
After only mustering two runs in the first four innings, Arizona State’s offense would explode for an eight-run fifth inning. Two walks, two doubles and five singles later by eight different Devils would blow the game wide open. The inning was capped off by a three-run home run by reigning NCAA home run king and Pac-12 Player of the Week in Torkelson, his first of what will more than likely be many more this season.
“It felt really good because everyone was giving me a hard time about it”, Torkelson said of getting his first home run of the season. “Before the at-bat, Skip said he was bored with all my singles and he wants me to hit a home run right now, and I did.”
However, what may be more impressive than the dozens of runs being scored in each game, is the depth and situational prowess the Sun Devils lineup has shown thus far.
Sophomore Drew Swift, who bats ninth in ASU’s lineup, went 3-for-5, with three doubles and three RBI. When everyone in the lineup is contributing at the rate the Devils are, it is understandable why the offense is producing at such a rate. The offensive production by Swift did not go unnoticed by his coach.
“That’s why we have our MVP of the game. The bat tonight was a plus, we know he is always going to be there defensively,” Skip said.
The three doubles Swift hit tonight alone was more than the two he had all of last season.
Arizona State’s offense would continue for four more runs in the game, as the Toreros went through seven pitchers. Although the game did seem one-sided, the Toreros would get on the board in the seventh inning with two runs against righty Dom Cacchione. Cacchione, the fourth of five pitchers who would see time in this game for the Sun Devils.
Nine innings, 12 pitchers and 14 runs later, and the Sun Devils are off to a 4-0 start on the 2019 season. Four wins by large margins, with a combined 58 runs scored.
It may be too early to get optimistic about the success of Arizona State, but the benefit of having an older roster, with players who are becoming comfortable with the college game is glaringly obvious. Smith acknowledged the benefits the team is reaping early on.
“We know we have good players that have just grown up,” Smith said. “What you are seeing now is a bunch of guys that are comfortable. They are playing with confidence and are having fun.”
Up next, the Devils host the UC Davis Aggies for a three game set at Phoenix Muni. Game one is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 with junior righty Alec Marsh slated to get the start for ASU.
