PHOENIX – The No. 8 Arizona State Sun Devils broke offensively en route to a 10-4 victory over Boston College on Friday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Boyd Vander Kooi entered the game in the third inning, working his way out of a bases loaded jam on his way to a dominant outing. The junior right hander delivered seven innings of relief, giving up only one run on five hits and striking out six with no walks.
The Sun Devil offense exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits, including three home runs coming from the top of the lineup. Arizona State received contributions from throughout the lineup, with four different individuals driving in two or more runs.
The Turning Point
After Boston College tied the game at three in the top half, Arizona State re-took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning. The first home runs of the season from Alika Williams and Trevor Hauver were the difference as the Sun Devils captured game one of the series.
How it Happened
Behind the strength of three home runs and a quality pitching performance by Boyd Vander Kooi in relief, the Sun Devils were able to keep Boston College at bay and stayed in control of the game despite the Eagles jumping out to an early lead.
Notables
First inning
Boston College was able to get the first run of the game with three singles in four at-bats to get a runner home. With the bases loaded, Cooper Benson was able to strike out the final batter on a 3-2 pitch to limit the damage. The Sun Devils answered right back as Spencer Torkelson smoked a double to left-center gap followed by a Trevor Hauver walk. With two runners on base, Gage Workman sent one over the right field fence for his first home run of the year to put Arizona State up 3-1.
Second inning
The Eagles managed to get two more singles off of Benson but were unable to put any runs on the board. Boston College then struck out the first two Sun Devil batters and ended the inning on a ground out after a walk.
Third inning
Benson's day ended after loading up the bases and walking in a run to make it 3-2. Boyd Vander Kooi was called to get Arizona State out of a jam with no outs. Vander Kooi got the three outs, allowing only one run to score which tied the game up. ASU went down in order to keep it 3-3.
Fourth inning
Vander Kooi gave up a few singles, but was able to stop the Eagles from scoring, ending the top of the inning with a line-out straight into his glove. The Sun Devils broke the tie with a clutch two-run home run by Alika Williams. One batter later, Trevor Hauver also hit his first home run of the year, a solo fly to ASU's bullpen coming off the bat at 109 MPH. They weren't done there yet, as Workman hit a triple and was then brought home by a single from Hunter Jump.
Fifth inning
Vander Kooi pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 inning, keeping Boston College at three runs. Arizona State was able to get two runners on base, but they were left stranded.
Sixth inning
Boston College added a run on an RBI-groundout to cut the ASU lead to three. The Sun Devils were unable to get anything going in this inning as well.
Seventh Inning
Coming in to pinch-hit, Brian Kalmer singled up the middle for the first hit of his career, scoring two runs. For the inning, Arizona State added three insurance runs on two hits to push out to a 10-4 lead through seven innings.
Eighth inning
Both teams in the eighth inning went down without a hit or walk, as Vander Kooi settled into a groove.
Ninth inning
Vander Kooi came back in the ninth inning and closed things out, striking out two batters for his fifth and sixth strikeout.
Up next
The Sun Devils continue their weekend series with Boston College tomorrow, starting at 6:30 p.m. AZT. The game can be viewed on the ASU Live Stream.
Boyd Vander Kooi entered the game in the third inning, working his way out of a bases loaded jam on his way to a dominant outing. The junior right hander delivered seven innings of relief, giving up only one run on five hits and striking out six with no walks.
The Sun Devil offense exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits, including three home runs coming from the top of the lineup. Arizona State received contributions from throughout the lineup, with four different individuals driving in two or more runs.
The Turning Point
After Boston College tied the game at three in the top half, Arizona State re-took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning. The first home runs of the season from Alika Williams and Trevor Hauver were the difference as the Sun Devils captured game one of the series.
How it Happened
Behind the strength of three home runs and a quality pitching performance by Boyd Vander Kooi in relief, the Sun Devils were able to keep Boston College at bay and stayed in control of the game despite the Eagles jumping out to an early lead.
Notables
- Mason Pelio's, Boston College's starter, seven runs and eight hits allowed were both the second most he has given up in his career
- All home runs hit tonight were the first of the season for each player (Gage Workman, Trevor Hauver and Alika Williams)
- Freshman Brian Kalmer pinch hit, two-RBI single in the seventh inning was his first-career hit and first career RBI
- Spencer Torkelson added to his nation-leading total and has now been intentionally walked six times this season
- Not only did Trevor Hauver show off his power, he drew three walks for the fourth time in his career
First inning
Boston College was able to get the first run of the game with three singles in four at-bats to get a runner home. With the bases loaded, Cooper Benson was able to strike out the final batter on a 3-2 pitch to limit the damage. The Sun Devils answered right back as Spencer Torkelson smoked a double to left-center gap followed by a Trevor Hauver walk. With two runners on base, Gage Workman sent one over the right field fence for his first home run of the year to put Arizona State up 3-1.
Second inning
The Eagles managed to get two more singles off of Benson but were unable to put any runs on the board. Boston College then struck out the first two Sun Devil batters and ended the inning on a ground out after a walk.
Third inning
Benson's day ended after loading up the bases and walking in a run to make it 3-2. Boyd Vander Kooi was called to get Arizona State out of a jam with no outs. Vander Kooi got the three outs, allowing only one run to score which tied the game up. ASU went down in order to keep it 3-3.
Fourth inning
Vander Kooi gave up a few singles, but was able to stop the Eagles from scoring, ending the top of the inning with a line-out straight into his glove. The Sun Devils broke the tie with a clutch two-run home run by Alika Williams. One batter later, Trevor Hauver also hit his first home run of the year, a solo fly to ASU's bullpen coming off the bat at 109 MPH. They weren't done there yet, as Workman hit a triple and was then brought home by a single from Hunter Jump.
Fifth inning
Vander Kooi pitched a scoreless 1-2-3 inning, keeping Boston College at three runs. Arizona State was able to get two runners on base, but they were left stranded.
Sixth inning
Boston College added a run on an RBI-groundout to cut the ASU lead to three. The Sun Devils were unable to get anything going in this inning as well.
Seventh Inning
Coming in to pinch-hit, Brian Kalmer singled up the middle for the first hit of his career, scoring two runs. For the inning, Arizona State added three insurance runs on two hits to push out to a 10-4 lead through seven innings.
Eighth inning
Both teams in the eighth inning went down without a hit or walk, as Vander Kooi settled into a groove.
Ninth inning
Vander Kooi came back in the ninth inning and closed things out, striking out two batters for his fifth and sixth strikeout.
Up next
The Sun Devils continue their weekend series with Boston College tomorrow, starting at 6:30 p.m. AZT. The game can be viewed on the ASU Live Stream.