ASU Shows Signs of Toughness in Win Over Utah

(Photo: Elijah Longoria/WCSN)

PHOENIX – When head coach Willie Bloomquist arrived for his postgame media availability following Arizona State baseball’s 14-13 win over Utah on Saturday, he could only express his disappointment.

“For me personally, that was one of the most gut-wrenching things I’ve ever watched,” Bloomquist said.

In the ninth inning, ASU blew a seven-run lead, but came back to win it via a walk-off hit from graduate outfielder Matt Polk. Bloomquist called on his team to raise the intensity and consistency, but most importantly, the toughness on the diamond, as he told his players the toughest teams win Sunday games.

“Those guys that are able to stay mentally focused and come with that same intensity on Sunday — which is always the tough day to do that — usually that team wins,” Bloomquist said.

A day later, the Sun Devils (26-11, 9-6 Big 12) answered Bloomquist’s call, as they displayed signs of developing toughness to the Utah Utes (17-15, 6-9), 5-2 in the series finale Sunday afternoon.

Although not a perfect performance, ASU’s pitching and defense limited Utah’s ability to get runners aboard, while the offense did enough to get past Utah. The Sun Devils were able to move past their mistakes quickly and return to their intensity.

Now, Bloomquist looks to build on this performance to achieve consistency.

“The series is a short amount of time at the end of the day,” Bloomquist said. “I want to see it over the rest of this year. That’s not to say we have to play perfectly. I just want the intent to be there every day.”

The Sun Devils’ skid also came in one of their most packed stretches of the season. Following the conclusion of Monday’s Territorial Cup, ASU will have played six games in seven days.

“This is a very small sample size of what you’re going to experience at the next level,” Bloomquist said. “Don’t give me that you’re tired and run down after six games. That’s a walk in the park at the next level.”

Bloomquist, a 14-year MLB veteran, has maintained this belief across the stretch, through the wins and the losses.

Across the first four games of this span, the Sun Devils allowed 38 runs. Against Utah, senior righty Kole Klecker allowed two in seven innings, while junior righty Jaden Alba put up two scoreless frames.

Even after an improved display, Bloomquist returned to Saturday’s struggles to ensure his players understood their reality.

“Guys were going to have to step up and figure out who we are,” Bloomquist said. “Some are settling in fine, and others that are still searching a little bit.”

Bloomquist also mentioned that he knew this stretch would be difficult from a pitching standpoint, but is still hoping for arms to “pull their weight” down the stretch.

Despite the difficulties of the stretch, pitching coach Jeremy Accardo held a meeting with the pitchers before Sunday’s game to send a message that things need to change.

“That was obvious yesterday, that we have to adjust some things mentally, and maybe physically, and just get back to attacking,” Bloomquist said. “He delivered that message outstandingly to our guys today, and hopefully they take it and absorb it and put it into use.”

In Saturday’s game, ASU required seven pitchers, including four in the final two innings. While Bloomquist is also searching for consistency, the performances from Alba and Klecker on Sunday saw the first signs of Accardo’s message being put to use.

The duo combined to allow five base hits and walked only one batter. Also, they threw 134 pitches, 100 fewer than the seven pitchers combined to throw on Saturday.

“Going down the stretch, we have to know who those guys are that we’re going to lean on,” Bloomquist said. “The guys that step up and are able to repeat and be consistent will be the ones we’ll go down the stretch.

As much as Bloomquist is looking to find his team’s star power for the home stretch of the season, he also recognizes the importance of keeping everybody available.

On the offensive side, Bloomquist mentioned redshirt junior Garrett Michel, junior Sam Myers and graduate Matt Polk as guys who need to be ready at any given moment, despite their frequent rotation.

Regardless of who’s out there for the Sun Devils, they’re officially at the halfway point of Big 12 conference play. With five series to go before the conference tournament, ASU will need its toughness to build its resume to return to the NCAA tournament.

“Understanding the importance of rising up mentally, being ready to play every day, is what’s important,” Bloomquist said.