(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils open Pac-12 conference play this weekend against the Oregon Ducks.
The Devils head into the series riding a rough stretch of games. They have lost their last three games, inducing a non-conference midweek game Tuesday against rivals, the Arizona Wildcats.
Two weeks ago it seemed like the offense for the Sun Devils wouldn’t end. Then, UNC Wilmington came into town and since then, the bats have gone silent.
In the last three games, only three runs have crossed the plate. Their opponents have scored combined 18 runs in those same three games.
Lack of offense was not the only concern in ASU’s game against Arizona. Errors and free passes were a common theme of that game, which ASU ended with three errors and eight walks allowed.
Oregon comes to Phoenix Municipal Stadium after winning two of their last three games. The Ducks beat Gonzaga 6-3 Tuesday and played a four game series against UC Davis last weekend, winning three of four games and taking the series win.
The biggest threats from the Ducks’ lineup are outfielder Jacob Goldfard, as well as infielders Gabe Matthews and Spencer Steer.
Goldfarb leads the team with four home runs while Steer has the most hits with 20 on the season so far. Matthews has the second highest batting average at .328, trailing Goldfarb who is hitting .352.
Parker Kelley earned Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week honors Monday, as he has made nine appearances for the Ducks, allowing only five hits, two walks and striking out 23 in 14 innings pitched this season. Kelly has four wins and has not allowed a run yet this season.
For the Sun Devils, there are two players to keep an eye entering the weekend with Oregon. Spencer Torkelson hit his ninth home run of the season Tuesday against
Arizona, now just two shy of the freshman home run record of 11 set by Barry Bonds. Torkelson leads all freshman in the nation in home runs and is tied for third in the nation amongst all players.
Fellow freshman Alika Williams is starting to show some progress at the plate after starting off the season struggling during his at bats. Now, he is starting to find some comfort as his last two games were multi-hit games, including Tuesday against Arizona, where he had two hits and an RBI.
With an 8-9 record, the Sun Devils aren’t exactly where they wanted to be entering conference play. However, it is not time to throw in the towel for ASU’s season, as they have shown at times their ability to play a complete game.
In order to get back to .500 or better on the season in this series against Oregon, it is important to get their bats back swinging and avoid the miscues from Tuesday’s loss.
Scoring early will be crucial, as once Oregon’s relievers take the mound, it will be tough for the Sun Devils to make a late comeback.
The series will begin Friday with first pitch at 6:30 p.m, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Saurday’s game is also slated for a 6:30 p.m. start. The series final Sunday starts at 12:30 p.m.
