ASU earns first win in Tucson in over two years

(Photo: Aiden Longbrake/WCSN)

TUCSON – Anytime Arizona State makes the 110-mile drive down south on the I-10 to play its rivals, Arizona, there are bound to be heavy emotions. The weight of “Hate Week” burdens players, coaches and fans alike.

When the two meet on the diamond, the heat is only turned up, especially with both programs’ rich baseball history. Arizona has four national championships and 19 College World Series appearances, including most recently last season. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils have five national championships and 21 CWS appearances.

Even with all of the history, every game between the two schools feels like a war. Thursday night was no different as No. 25 ASU(22-8, 7-4 Big 12) defeated Arizona (9-20, 2-9 Big 12) 6-4, led by sophomore left-fielder Landon Hairston and redshirt junior second baseman Nu’u Contrades’ offensive heights.

“It was a grinder,” head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “We did enough to get it done. It was a hard-fought game on both sides, and we were able to scratch out enough runs early. They came back and tied it a couple times, and we were able to put a really good rally together in the seventh.”

That seventh inning rally was jump-started by Contrades’ bat. Having already hit a double early in the game, Contrades stepped up to the plate with two runners on base, turning on a pitch and sending it into the left field corner, scoring two runners. Contrades’ double gave ASU a 6-3 lead and served as the deciding runs of the contest.

“He’s gutting it out,” Bloomquist said. “He’s still not 100% out there. You can see he’s not moving the way he’s used to moving. There are a couple of parts from his game that are still missing. But I’m willing to sacrifice that for what he does at the plate. He came up with a couple of big hits today.”

Contrades is still playing through the hamstring injury that left him unavailable for over two weeks. When running the bases, the instruction from Bloomquist to take it easy appears even more evident as Contrades appeared to be jogging into second on both of his hits on Thursday. Having dealt with injuries for much of his career, Contrades will likely be even more cautious before forcing himself to full speed.

“I always want to come out here and give my 100% and give hard 90s,” Contrades said. “Just easing my way back in, not trying to push it too hard, too early. My goal is to slowly, gradually up the intensity.”

Joining the Sun Devils captain in igniting the ASU offense was Golden Spikes midseason watchlist member, Landon Hairston. Hairston went 3-for-5 and was just a home run away from the cycle. The sophomore is now batting .475 with 49 RBIs, including one on Thursday against the Wildcats. The win in Tucson is the first time in six games that the Queen Creek native has failed to put the ball over the fence.

“It kind of goes unnoticed when he doesn’t hit a homer,” Bloomquist said. “Oh, only three hits for Landon today and no home runs. The kid had a heck of a day. So, we’ve been spoiled a little bit with him. He’s just being himself and having great at-bats.”

Given ASU’s struggles to find three consistent weekend starters, sophomore right-hander Taylor Penn made his second start of the season in what Bloomquist called “the biggest game of the season.” Penn dealt for four innings, allowing just two runs on four hits with three punch outs against the Wildcats.

After a solid performance in Tucson, Penn is likely in line to start on Saturdays as the Sun Devils reach the heart of their conference schedule. Following the game, Bloomquist said that Penn “didn’t do anything to lose that spot.”

“I thought he did well,” Bloomquist said. “Threw the ball outstanding outside of a leadoff walk and a hit batter. Those two runs came back and scored. I didn’t have to say anything when he came off. He threw the ball great, with great tempo. I look for him to continue to get better each time he goes out.”

While Penn is likely to take over the Saturday role from junior pitcher Alex Overbay, Overbay came in relief of Penn on Thursday night. The last three weeks as a starter had been almost miserable for Overbay, as he allowed 19 runs in just three games. Bloomquist insisted his pitches have been good, but he needed to get ahead in counts and avoid free passes on the bases. In Thursday’s win, Overbay seemingly improved on that, only allowing two runs with four strikeouts on the night.

“It’s an extremely positive sign,” Bloomquist said. “He has a big arm. We’re going to need him. I’m not convinced he can’t start. I just think right now he seems to throw the ball with a little more conviction out of the bullpen, and that’s where we need him right now. He’s doing a good job.”

Just as the win over Arizona was a chance for Overbay to get back on track, it was also a chance for the Sun Devils to end their cold streak down in the south. The Sun Devils hadn’t won a game in Tucson since 2024 coming into Thursday.

“Anytime you go into someone else’s ballpark and beat them,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s pretty fun. It’s nice that we get three games down here. I definitely want to come out here and win this series this week.”

As important as the series against Arizona is to the Sun Devils’ current season, the meaning of the game to many is much deeper than that. Across the state of Arizona, any meeting between these two schools brings the opportunity for bragging rights, along with the continuation of a rich tradition.

“What the rivalry means,” Bloomquist said. “It hasn’t changed. It still matters. Still, every game is important. Every game is a dog fight. The intensity of the games in this rivalry never goes away as a player or as a coach. They always seem to be down to the wire. It feels outstanding when you win, and it’s gut-wrenching when you lose, so we’re going to hopefully try to keep chalking up wins.”

Bloomquist, having also played for ASU, understands better than anyone what playing in this heated rivalry is about. With his experience, he has tried to make sure his players understand what is at stake to fans, without distracting them from the ultimate goal of winning and making a run at Omaha.

“As long as they understand the rivalry and the history of what it means,” Bloomquist said. “We told them about it, and they understand it. Now they’re coming with intensity. We don’t need them in the red, ramped up with that intensity where they forget how to play.”

The Sun Devils started the series against Arizona similarly to how they started last week’s series loss to then-No.17 West Virginia, but will attempt to avoid the same fate. ASU will have two opportunities to clinch the season series against Arizona, starting on Friday at 6:05 p.m. MST.

“Throw the records out of the window,” Bloomquist said. “We’re going to get their best, and hopefully they get our best as well. These are always going to be tough, nail-biter type games, especially against these guys.”