(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
This weekend will feature two of the weaker teams in the Pac-12 battling it off in a three-game weekend series. The Utah Utes (9-25, 5-8 Pac-12) are traveling to Tempe to face-off against the Arizona State Sun Devils (14-22, 6-9 Pac-12).
The Utes are coming in to Tempe in the midst of a three game losing streak, as they were most recently swept by UCLA in Salt Lake City.
They weren’t just beat, they were dominated. The Bruins outscored them by 24 runs in the weekend series.
The Sun Devils aren’t so hot either, though currently riding a six-game losing streak.
Last May, the Utes swept ASU in a three-game series in Salt Lake City.
It’s safe to say that both of these teams are in the thick of the mud. Two coaches presumably on the hot seat, and team units that are struggling to get their act together.
Though the troubled seasons, there are a few bright spots on each team.
Gage Canning and Spencer Torkelson’s heroics have given Sun Devils fans something to smile about, in this relatively bleak season.
Canning currently hold a .379 batting average with nine triples, while Tork(bomb)elson has launched 18 dingers, giving him the most home runs in the nation.
The Utes’ DaShawn Keirsey Jr. has lifted the Utes out of tough times this year, maintaining a .389 average at the plate.
The junior leads the team in batting average (.389), runs scored (24), hits (44), and extra base hits (17).
This weekend will feature more Sun Devil musical chairs on the mound, as Eli Lingos has been the only consistent pitcher this season.
With Boyd Vander Kooi officially out this weekend and Zane Strand deciding mutually to part with the team this week, prepare for uncertainty on the bump.
The Utes and Sun Devils will begin their series Friday at at 6:30 PM MST.
For continuous coverage of the weekend series and more, be sure to follow @CronkiteSports on twitter.
