(Photo: Allyson Cummings/WCSN)
This year’s Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic takes place this weekend at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. The four-day tournament features the Arizona State Sun Devils, Gonzaga Bulldogs, Oklahoma Sooners, No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys, Manhattan Jaspers, and Santa Clara Broncos.
On Thursday, the Sun Devils (4-4) got on track with a 9-6 victory over Santa Clara (5-5). On Friday, ASU faces Gonzaga (2-6). Saturday pits the Sun Devils against the Sooners (5-3). Sunday’s matchup has ASU battling No. 14 Oklahoma State (8-1).
Friday vs. Gonzaga, 4:30 p.m.
Projected pitchers: RHP Ryan Burr (0-1) v. RHP Brandon Bailey
Ryan Burr has struggled so far while making the switch from closer to starter this season. He’s only gone 6.1 innings in two appearances, and his ERA is 9.95. Burr has been struggling with his control, but Gonzaga’s offense has been struggling as well.
Brandon Bailey is a freshman who owns a 2.08 ERA, has struck out nine and walked seven in his 13 innings, giving up four runs.
The Bulldogs come to Surprise on a three-game losing streak. Mitch Gunsolus leads Gonzaga with 14 hits, but is the only player in double-digits. Gunsolus also has the best batting average at .519, so Burr will have his biggest challenge in the first batter he faces.
Saturday vs. Oklahoma, 4:30 p.m.
Projected pitchers: LHP Ryan Kellogg (0-1) v. RHP Jake Elliott (1-1)
Ryan Kellogg has a 5.73 ERA in his 11 innings, striking out four and walking two. He has not quite regained last season’s form when he threw a no-hitter against Oregon State.
The Sooner lineup bats at just under .300 cumulatively, led by leadoff man James Mac with a .444 average. Oklahoma is also no stranger to the long ball, as their lineup has gone yard eight times with Hunter Haley recording three of those home runs. Kellogg has given up two of the four homers against ASU this season.
Jake Elliott, a freshman, will likely get the start. Elliott has struck out 11 in his 12 innings and has a 3.75 ERA. Sun Devil base runners beware: Elliott has caught runners stealing a team-high four times.
Oklahoma comes to Surprise after a 1-2 weekend in Florida, but are still 5-3 overall.
Sunday v. No. 14 Oklahoma State, 4:30pm MST
Projected pitchers: LHP Brett Lilek (1-0) v. TBA
ASU’s final game in Surprise will be their toughest. The No. 14 Cowboys have lost only one game this season, with their sole loss coming in the second game of a doubleheader against Oakland last weekend.
Brett Lilek has been ASU’s best starter this season. Lilek was slowed by injuries during his freshman campaign, and he’s back with a vengeance. He’s fanned a team-high 12 batters through 10 innings, and his 1.80 ERA is best among Sun Devil starters.
The Cowboys have yet to announce a starter for the game and have not seemed to settle on a Sunday starter. OSU does have a fully capable pitching staff however, and boast a team ERA of 2.60.
Tyler Nurdin got the first Sunday start of the year, and Vince Wheeland got the second. Nurdin, a southpaw junior, has the team’s highest ERA at 5.40, but has struck out 10 in 13 and one-third innings. Wheeland, a right-handed senior, has a 2.08 ERA and has six strikeouts in only 4 and one-third innings.
You can reach Madison Romine at madisonjromine@gmail.com
