(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
There were four Huskies in the Phoenix Municipal outfield tonight.
“I thought it was silly, honestly,” Pac-12 freshman single-season home run record-holder Spencer Torkelson said.
For Torkelson, it may be, but with numbers like his, it’s hard to know what to do.
Tonight, with four Washington defenders in the outfield for his at-bats, Torkelson launched his 22nd home run of the season, good enough to set the record, an accomplishment that he later remarked he didn’t know about until he was congratulated.
Torkelson didn’t just break the record tonight however, he also scored all four of the Arizona State runs, as they took down the Washington Huskies 4-3.
His power is one that head coach Tracy Smith is rather unfamiliar (and fond) of, noting his shock and approval of the Huskies 3-4 defensive approach.
“I don’t think I’ve seen it in college,” Smith said. “I think it actually makes sense.”
But, in Smith’s words — it’s not too difficult to beat the shift.
“I said ‘hey, if they’re going to put four out there than just hit it over their head, they can’t defend that.”
Torkelson is a great listener.
His fourth and final run of the night came off of a Gage Canning walk-off double to left center field.
Torkelson raced from first base to home plate, then sprinted to center field to join his teammates in the post game party.
“I was dog-tired,” he said with a laugh. “I almost stopped at second base.”
Alec Marsh started on the mound tonight, handing the Sun Devils over seven-plus quality innings of work, as Dellan Raish came in for the final five outs, allowing just one hit.
Marsh struck out six Huskies tonight, and put on a performance that he hopes can help solidify him for years to come.
“I’ve had quite a few starts on the Friday spot and I just want to take it over,” he said.”I’m really enjoying the role that I have right now.”
The sophomore now owns a 3.28 ERA, allowing three runs in tonight’s bout.
Coming off three close games in Corvallis, Smith is optimistic about his team’s chance in running the table.
“We still feel like, we’re playing for something,” he said. “So our thing right now is why not us? Why can’t we win out? Its not going to be easy, but we’re not mathematically out of this thing either.”
The Sun Devils sit at 19-25 on the season, and are even at 11-11 in Pac-12 play.
With eleven more games left in the season, eight of those being in conference, the confidence exudes not only from Smith, but Canning too.
“We could have a chance really to make it to the playoffs, and that’s what we want,” Canning said.
This team has undoubtedly had their low-points and valleys this season, but the team representing the valley of the sun is not giving up.
Their next shot at showcasing that mentality will be Saturday evening at home for game two of the three-game series. First pitch at Muni is officially scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
