(Photo: Connor Gleason/WCSN)
SURPRISE, Ariz. – When Arizona State’s ace, junior pitcher Cole Carlon, walked off the mound, the Sun Devils looked to be in a good spot. After a week full of conversation about Carlon’s potential injury status, the south paw came in and did his job, going 5.1 innings, holding West Virginia to one run.
The ASU crowd jumped on the Mountaineers, making Surprise Stadium sound like Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Sophomore pitcher Finn Edwards came into the game with all of that momentum at his back. Rather than roll with the momentum, Edwards’ performance careened like a bowling ball heading towards the gutter, allowing WVU to go from down 3-1to up 4-3.
The Sun Devils’ (37-18, 19-11 Big 12) sixth-inning collapse left them falling out of the Big 12 Tournament, as they fell to the Mountaineers(38-13, 21-9 Big 12) 7-3 in the semifinals on Friday night. The loss marks ASU’s third loss to West Virginia this season.
“Had a chance to win the game at that point,” head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “After that, we gave them too many outs that were quite honestly unacceptable. We have to make plays behind our staff a little better than we did. We gave them a few extra outs, a few extra bases, and ultimately a few extra runs that we couldn’t afford to give.”
Although Edwards did not have his best performance on the night, he was not helped by his defense. Graduate left-fielder Matt Polk had an opportunity to make a play on a line drive with one out, but misplayed the ball, allowing WVU’s first run in the sixth inning.
It was that type of night for the Sun Devils, as multiple throwing errors, including an unlucky bounce on a throw from sophomore center-fielder Landon Hairston, cost ASU defensive runs.
The offense was no different. ASU only recorded three hits, with two of them being a triple from redshirt-junior second-baseman Nu’u Contrades and a home run from senior right-fielder Dean Toigo in the fourth inning back-to-back.
The Sun Devils were forced into hard ground balls or lineouts for much of the game by a West Virginia pitching staff that utilized six different pitchers.
“I think when we stick with our offensive approach, as far as staying out from underneath the zone and early weak contact,” Bloomquist said. “That’s usually a result of chasing below the knees. When we get pitches elevated, we seem to do a lot better.”
One spot Bloomquist is looking for change in is at DH. For much of the season, Garett Michel had been the go-to option. However, Michel was 0 for his last 15, causing Bloomquist to try sophomore Coen Niclai in the role. After going 0-for-2, it seems as if Bloomquist will try his third option to get production in the middle of the lineup.
“We’re trying to get somebody that can step up and get some hits when it counts,” Bloomquist said. “That’s why we went with Coen today. I’m not going to second-guess that, but I am going to take a closer look at Ky McGary, because every time he comes in to pinch hit, he puts together a good at-bat.”
ASU managed to muster some momentum in the top half of the sixth inning, as West Virginia went to the bullpen two separate times after reliever Carson Estridge recorded two walks in a row. The Sun Devil-filled crowd let chants of “ball 10” sing throughout the ballpark. Players on both teams chirped at each other.
It was clear that playoff baseball had arrived.
“I’m definitely an emotional guy,” Carlon said. “I like that aspect and being able to get a little more juice, fun, and a little more adrenaline. If it comes to the point where we have to get super intense with the other team, that’s a good energy to have.”
While playoff baseball is in season, Friday’s loss rang eerily similar to an April defeat to Arizona.In the contest, Edwards did not record an out, and the Sun Devils allowed a multiple-run comeback to take place. The inability to stop the bleeding in big innings has killed ASU all season long.
Carlon started that Arizona game as well, posting another ace-like performance. Unfortunately for ASU, Carlon was on a pitch count to prevent any possible injury as the team prepares to go into the NCAA Tournament.
“Cole gave us an opportunity to win,” Bloomquist said. “Threw the ball great after we wanted to keep his pitch count around 80. I know we could have pushed him, but I think that would’ve been dangerous. Proud of him for that.”
With the loss, ASU’s conference championship hopes vanished, as the Sun Devils are now looking ahead to Monday to find out where they will play in the NCAA Tournament. Last season, ASU found itself as a No. 3 seed after being upset in the opening round of the Big 12 Tournament.
This season, many projections show the Sun Devils as a No. 2 seed after Thursday’s win over No. 22 Cincinnati in regionals ranging from Athens to Tuscaloosa to Chapel Hill. The Sun Devils mid-40s Rating Percentage Index ranking has put them on the bubble of a two or three seed, but a higher ranking in other metrics may push them over the top.
ASU will find out where it will travel to for the postseason on Monday morning at 9 a.m. MST.
“We wanted to make a run at the conference tournament,” Bloomquist said. “That obviously comes to an end tonight, which is disappointing. We’re excited with the momentum we have. We’re anxious to find out where we’re going and tee it up.”
