(Photo: Karli Matthias/WCSN)
After a season that saw the Arizona State baseball team charge out of the gates to a 25-1 start, average more than eight runs per game, and have two players finish in the top-10 nationally in home runs, the Sun Devils officially saw their name called among the 64-team field that will compete for the 2019 College World Series title.
With a 16-13 Pac-12 record and a 37-17 mark overall, along with an RPI of 33, ASU was selected as a two-seed in the Baton Rouge regional. They will be matched up with third-seeded Southern Mississippi with the chance to move on to play either host LSU, the number thirteen national seed, or fourth-seeded Stony Brook.
With the disappointment of consecutive 23-32 seasons now in the rear-view mirror as Arizona State makes a return to the postseason for the first time since 2016, the players’ focus will be on keeping their emotions in check as they venture into one of the wildest environments in college baseball at Alex Box Stadium.
“I think we got a great regional, and a great spot to go to,” junior outfielder Hunter Bishop said. “I think it’s really exciting, obviously we’ve played in Nebraska with a lot of people, and sometimes we’ve sold it out here, but I don’t think anything crowd-wise we’ve played in like this.”
“My brother [Seattle Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop] played there his freshman year and told me it’s unlike anything he’s seen except for the big leagues, so he said it’s really fun but we’ve just got to take it one pitch at time.”
The return to postseason play is a welcome sight for everyone associated with the Sun Devil baseball program, the berth for this season coming on the heels of a post-season press conference from Sun Devil athletic director Ray Anderson one year ago in which he stated that 2019 was a crucial year for the program to return to the level of play that is expected by both the school and fanbase.
This Sun Devil team has shown a true camaraderie throughout the entire season, and with every player on the team except for former West Virginia Mountaineer Cole Austin experiencing postseason play for the first time, the emotions of making the tournament are certainly evident.
“You kind of just take a step back and realize after three long years, we finally made the tournament,” junior Carter Aldrete said. “That’s been our goal since we stepped foot on campus, my whole class. I kinda stepped back while everyone was celebrating and hugging, and kinda got a little bit emotional but then you kinda just see everyone’s so happy it sort of lifts your spirit.”
“They’re happy tears, no more sad tears in this program. We’re going in the right direction and looking forward to getting to LSU.”
The Sun Devils will have a quality first-round opponent awaiting them in the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, who completed 2019 with a 38-19 overall record, including 20-10 in Conference USA play.
Head coach Scott Barry’s squad finished second in the regular season to Florida Atlantic, but marched through the conference tournament before defeating the Owls 4-0 to claim the conference tournament title and the automatic bid that came with it.
The Golden Eagles feature five regular starters batting .300 or higher, paced by Bryant Bowen’s .340 average, as well as one of the nation’s most dangerous power threats in outfielder Matt Wallner, who has launched 21 bombs on the season.
No matter who the opponent is on the road to Omaha however, this Sun Devil team believes that on their day they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country, and are chomping at the bit to get back on the field playing.
“I think we feel great, and we’re really confident rolling into the weekend,” Bishop said. “I think everybody knows we should’ve taken two of three at least from Stanford. Mistakes happen, but we gotta be real sharp this weekend, and no more mistakes can be made or our season’s over. So, a lot’s on the line, but we’re definitely ready and we’re definitely excited.”
First pitch between the Sun Devils and Golden Eagles will be Friday at 1 PM Eastern time from Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA.
