Baseball

Landon Hairston Heads Dominance from Sun Devil Offense

PHOENIX – Last season, then-freshman outfielder Landon Hairston finished his first collegiate season with only four home runs, a mark that garnered quips from veteran teammates Jacob Tobias and Brandon Compton.

“I’m just like ‘will you guys shut up,’” Arizona State baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “‘Let him just hit and quit getting in his head and get him to try to hit for power.’”

A year removed from Tobias’ and Compton’s banter, the teasing seemed only to make Hairston stronger. Against No. 17 West Virginia (17-5, 5-2 Big 12), Hairston hit two home runs, including his fourth grand slam of the year, to power No. 22 ASU (20-6, 5-2) to a run-rule 14-4 victory one of the Big 12’s best pitching staffs.

“This year, I’m searching for a little bit more damage,” Hairston said. “But in a controlled way, in a mature way. Last year, when I tried to do damage, I get out of my zone and start rolling things over.”

While Hairston had been successful in doing more damage before Friday night, replicating his success against a stout West Virginia pitching staff could appear daunting. Entering the weekend series, the Mountaineers had the best ERA in the Big 12 with a 3.28 mark, while allowing the fewest home runs in the conference, with only 14.

“Seeing pitches early,” Hairston said. “Sticking to my approach and sitting on fastball all the time, and adjusting whatever’s off that.”

Hairston added a pair to West Virginia’s home run total and knocked in eight runs on the night, as he seemingly couldn’t be stopped by the Mountaineers’ pitching.

In the eighth inning, Hairston was intentionally walked to load the bases. In the very next at-bat, junior infielder PJ Moutzouridis ended the game with a sacrifice fly.

Hairston’s home run count for the season climbed to 13, a number that sees him on pace to beat the Sun Devils’ record, set by Mitch Jones’ 27 home runs from the 2000 season. With 30 regular-season games left to be played, Hairston is also on the verge of breaking ASU’s single-season grand slam record, as he tied Jeff Larish’s four grand slams from 2003.

“I’m honestly not really worried about that,” Hairston said. “There’s no point in chasing that. If it happens, it happens. But going out there every day and giving it my all, giving good at-bats to the team, that’s what I’m focused on.”

All night long, Hairston focused on adapting in the batter’s box, but one of his best adjustments came in left field. After narrowly missing an incredible grab on the left field foul line, Hairston’s next attempt would complete the spectacular.

“I called it off pretty early,” Hairston said. “I was pretty frustrated that I missed the other one down the line, so I called it and made sure I was going to get it.”

Once Hairston made the grab, he stuck his arms out in the air, opening in the applause from the crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

“It’s the hardest game in the world,” Hairston said. “Having a night like that is pretty fun and getting involved with the fans is always fun.”

As Hairston received a standing ovation from the crowd, he wouldn’t be the only player to receive acclaim from the Sun Devil faithful.

The Chandler native is one of ten Arizona-bred players on ASU’s roster, as he hopes to be setting the foundation for an influx of local talent..

“If you’re in high school and you’re in Arizona, there’s no better place to be representing something way bigger than yourself,” Hairston said. “It’s no place I’d rather be than here.”

Meanwhile, redshirt junior Nu’u Contrades earned the crowd’s cheers by supplying ASU’s offense with a one-two punch alongside Hairston, as he hit two solo home runs.

“Energy is contagious,” Contrades said. “When someone’s on, it forces everyone to bring up their competitiveness.”

After missing five games due to injury, Friday night was Contrades’ second start back in the lineup. Although he can’t run at 100%, per Bloomquist, his offensive production can still be felt.

“He comes back stronger than ever,” Hairston said. “It’s awesome having him in the lineup – a lot of damage.”

While Contrades and Hairston hit the only home runs of the night, the production was spread throughout the lineup. Redshirt sophomore third baseman Austen Roellig had three hits on the night, his fourth time this season with three or more hits.

Junior first baseman Dominic Smaldino had two hits on the night and was hit by a pitch, crossing the plate three times.

“Guys are having great bats at the bottom of the order,” Hairston said. “All those guys down there are getting on base at a consistent rate.”

Redshirt sophomore Brody Briggs also routinely found himself aboard the basepath, as he had two hits, then drew three walks.

The mix between the top-heavy power and production from the bottom of the lineup boded well for ASU’s success against West Virginia, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy sailing from here.

“They’re definitely going to attack the zone tomorrow,” Hairston said. “They live and die by their philosophy. You could see that tonight.”

What else was seen tonight was a dominant offensive performance from the Sun Devils, showcasing this team’s potential against the conference’s best.

“This is the best approach we’ve had top to bottom throughout a game all year long,” Bloomquist said. “Hopefully, we can build on it and keep going forward.”