Sun Devils’ starters hope to deliver in Utah for Pac-12 opener

(Photo: Samantha Maxwell/WCSN)

PHOENIX– In college baseball, non-conference play is used as a time for preparation before the grind of conference play begins. Arizona State baseball has used its non-conference schedule to figure out lineup construction and bullpen order, but one question still remains.

With junior southpaw Ross Dunn and junior righty Khristian Curtis appearing to have locked down the Friday and Saturday roles, respectively, the Sunday starter still remains a mystery.

In the opening series against San Diego State, junior lefty Timmy Manning got the nod on Sunday, and he impressed. The Florida transfer made a great first impression throwing five hitless innings before finally surrendering two hits in the sixth, ending the game with 5 2/3 IP, zero runs, two hits, and striking out six.

Over his next three starts, Manning has struggled mightily, surrendering 12 runs in just six innings pitched. Due to his recent struggles, Manning was demoted to a midweek starter role against Oklahoma State, and junior righty Owen Stevenson got the starting nod in ASU’s final midweek tune-up against Utah Tech before Pac-12 play begins.

“Right now, we are a staff of guys that just get outs,” head coach Willie Bloomquist said on Mar. 11 following a win over UC Davis. “Defined roles will work themselves out as we continue to move forward, but Timmy is a huge part of what we’re doing whether he is starting or coming out of the pen. We haven’t seen the last of him starting, but right now, we’re rewarding guys that pound the strike zone.”

Like Manning, Stevenson has had his share of struggles to start the season. Entering Tuesday night’s game, the San Francisco transfer had an 11.08 ERA, giving up a whopping 16 earned runs in just 13 innings pitched. Despite the struggles, Stevenson’s stuff is obviously there. His fastball now sits 93-96, and he boasts a five-pitch mix with a solid slider.

On Tuesday, in ASU’s (10-7) 9-1 win over Utah Tech (5-13), Stevenson and Manning both had one of their best outings all year, combining to go five innings, surrendering zero earned runs on five hits while striking out 10 and walking zero.

“I thought they threw outstanding,” Bloomquist said. “The pitching staff as a whole did really well. One free base and it was in the ninth on a hit batter. Other than that, they attacked the zone. Timmy threw his breaking ball for a strike tonight. Owen attacked with his fastball extremely well. No free bases, and it’s amazing you get good results when you don’t walk, guys.”

Free bases have been a problem for the Sun Devils all year, but in their last two games, the Sun Devils have not walked a single batter. And, on Tuesday night, the five pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, setting a new season high.

The outings from Stevenson and Manning are encouraging as ASU gets prepared to travel to Salt Lake City to take on Utah in the opening series of Pac-12 play. With junior righty Jonah Gibling coming off of an excellent start in the series finale against UC Davis, Bloomquist doesn’t “anticipate moving [Giblin] out of that spot” but called his team’s newfound depth a “good problem to have,” even mentioning the potential to approach Sunday’s as a bullpen day.

“All of our guys have been really effective one time through the lineup, and if they start stumbling after that, it’s time to get them out,” Bloomquist said. “Because that’s one thing that we do have a lot this year is a lot more arms that are capable. So, we’ve talked about that as a staff as to how we are going to manage this best to where guys are going to be effective.”