by Tony Thai, Sun Devil Media Relations
PHOENIX – After New Mexico State walked Spencer Torkelson for a school record fifth time to load the bases, Trevor Hauver drew a walk-off walk as No. 8 Sun Devil Baseball downed the Aggies, 6-5, in extra innings to hand NMSU its first loss of the season Tuesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Erik Tolman had another strong outing tonight, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing only a hit, no runs and striking out eight. The sophomore has struck out 20 batters in just 11.1 innings of work this season. Christian Bodlovich picked up the first win of his career by coming in to pitch a scoreless tenth inning.
Hauver continued his hot streak, protecting Torkelson in the lineup with a season-high three RBIs on the night. Torkelson didn't need to do more than step to dish on Tuesday, with NMSU choosing to intentionally walk him three times, bringing the junior's season total to 11 intentional walks in just nine games. He has 18 total walks on the season, leading the nation.
Alika Williams had his best game of the season, recording a pivotal two-RBI triple late in contest.
The Sun Devils led most of the way, scoring a run in the first and seventh. Three runs scored by New Mexico State gave the Aggies a one-run lead in the eighth, but Arizona State answered back with three runs of their own to lead 5-3.
The Sun Devils were unable to close it out as a balk and muffed throw let the Aggies score two runs to tie the game and send things into extra innings, which would eventually lead to the walk-off in the bottom of the tenth inning.
The Turning Point
Being tied 5-5 heading into the tenth inning, Myles Denson reached on an error and Dusty Garcia laid down a perfect drag bunt single to put two on with no outs. Alika Williams drew a loud out to move the winning run to third. NMSU then intentionally walked Torkelson walked to load the bases with one out. Hauver stepped up needing just about anything to allow the Sun Devils to score. With the count 3-1, the Aggies' pitcher threw one in the dirt as Arizona State scored a run to walk it off.
The Big Moment
After a quick seven innings where ASU led 2-0, an eventful eighth inning would take over. Two doubles and a walk by the ASU pitching staff scored three runs for New Mexico State and a 3-2 lead. Arizona State came back with a clutch two-RBI triple from Alika Williams and a sac-fly from Hauver to reclaim 5-3 advantage. However, ASU gave up a leadoff triple in the ninth and a balk to score the runner. Two more runners would get on base on walks with two outs, but a muffed throw at first allowed NMSU to tie the game and send things to extras.
Notables
- Spencer Torkelson drew five walks tonight, three of which were intentional, matching a school record with Kole Calhoun (2010), Alvin Davis (1982) and Fred Nelson (1967).
- Spencer Torkelson has been intentionally walked 11 times through nine games and leads the nation with a total of 18. His 11 intentional walks are already tied for the most by any Sun Devil in a season since 1998 (Jeff Larish with 11 in 67 games in 2005). His 11 intentional walks are more than the entire Sun Devil TEAM posted in 13 of the last 22 seasons.
- In Torkelson's last five inentional walks, Hauver has gone 2-for-3 with six RBIs, a two-run homer and a walk-off RBI walk.
- Erik Tolman has 20 strikeouts through 11.1 innings between his two starts.
INNING-BY-INNING
First inning
Erik Tolman struck out the first batter of the game but then walked the next three batters. With the bases loaded, Tolman struck out the next two batters as ASU came away unscathed. Spencer Torkelson and Trevor Hauver were able to get on base as Gage Workman then brought home a run with an RBI-single on the first pitch.
Second inning
Tolman put New Mexico State down 1-2-3. ASU loaded up the bases, but Trevor Hauver was unable to bring in any runs as the Sun Devils still led 1-0 after two innings.
Third inning
The Aggies got their first hit of the game, but Tolman struck out two more and a ground out to Torkelson stopped New Mexico State. The Aggies struck out three of ASU batters to end the inning.
Fourth inning
Tolman got another two strikeouts to reach a total of eight as the Aggies went down in order. Nick Cheema got a leadoff single but the Sun Devils were unable to capitalize.
Fifth inning
Both teams went down in order in the fifth for an eventless inning as Tolman was still yet to give up a run through five.
Sixth inning
After getting the first out, Tolman's day was done as Cam Dennie came in relief. Two groundouts stopped the Aggies from doing anything. However, New Mexico State was able to keep the Sun Devil offense from making much happen as well, retiring the side with two strikeouts.
Seventh Inning
The Aggies grounded out three straight times as they remained scoreless. Alika Williams singled and stole second to start the inning. Hauver brought him home with a single to give the Sun Devils a 2-0 lead.
Eighth inning
The Sun Devils gave up two walks and two hits as New Mexico State scored three runs to take the lead late in the game. ASU was able to get two runners on base to let Alika Williams deliver a clutch two-RBI triple to give the Sun Devils the lead. A sac-fly by Hauver scored another run as Arizona State now had a 5-3 lead.
Ninth inning
Still going with RJ Dabovich, Dabovich gave up a triple and then a balk was called to bring the lead within one. With runners at the corners, the Aggies were able to score and tie the game on a muffed throw by Torkelson. The Sun Devils were unable to get anything going, ending the inning on a pickoff.
Tenth inning
Christian Bodlovich made quick work of the Aggies, retiring them 1-2-3 with a strikeout. Myles Denson reached on an error and Dusty Garcia recorded his first hit on a perfect drag bunt. After a flyout by Williams, Torkelson was intentionally walked again to load up the bases. Hauver came up to the plate and was able to draw a walk to give the Sun Devils the win.
Up next
Arizona State begins its series with the Nebraska Cornhuskers Friday night at 6:30 p.m. AZT at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on the ASU Livestream.
PHOENIX – After New Mexico State walked Spencer Torkelson for a school record fifth time to load the bases, Trevor Hauver drew a walk-off walk as No. 8 Sun Devil Baseball downed the Aggies, 6-5, in extra innings to hand NMSU its first loss of the season Tuesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Erik Tolman had another strong outing tonight, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing only a hit, no runs and striking out eight. The sophomore has struck out 20 batters in just 11.1 innings of work this season. Christian Bodlovich picked up the first win of his career by coming in to pitch a scoreless tenth inning.
Hauver continued his hot streak, protecting Torkelson in the lineup with a season-high three RBIs on the night. Torkelson didn't need to do more than step to dish on Tuesday, with NMSU choosing to intentionally walk him three times, bringing the junior's season total to 11 intentional walks in just nine games. He has 18 total walks on the season, leading the nation.
Alika Williams had his best game of the season, recording a pivotal two-RBI triple late in contest.
The Sun Devils led most of the way, scoring a run in the first and seventh. Three runs scored by New Mexico State gave the Aggies a one-run lead in the eighth, but Arizona State answered back with three runs of their own to lead 5-3.
The Sun Devils were unable to close it out as a balk and muffed throw let the Aggies score two runs to tie the game and send things into extra innings, which would eventually lead to the walk-off in the bottom of the tenth inning.
The Turning Point
Being tied 5-5 heading into the tenth inning, Myles Denson reached on an error and Dusty Garcia laid down a perfect drag bunt single to put two on with no outs. Alika Williams drew a loud out to move the winning run to third. NMSU then intentionally walked Torkelson walked to load the bases with one out. Hauver stepped up needing just about anything to allow the Sun Devils to score. With the count 3-1, the Aggies' pitcher threw one in the dirt as Arizona State scored a run to walk it off.
The Big Moment
After a quick seven innings where ASU led 2-0, an eventful eighth inning would take over. Two doubles and a walk by the ASU pitching staff scored three runs for New Mexico State and a 3-2 lead. Arizona State came back with a clutch two-RBI triple from Alika Williams and a sac-fly from Hauver to reclaim 5-3 advantage. However, ASU gave up a leadoff triple in the ninth and a balk to score the runner. Two more runners would get on base on walks with two outs, but a muffed throw at first allowed NMSU to tie the game and send things to extras.
Notables
- Spencer Torkelson drew five walks tonight, three of which were intentional, matching a school record with Kole Calhoun (2010), Alvin Davis (1982) and Fred Nelson (1967).
- Spencer Torkelson has been intentionally walked 11 times through nine games and leads the nation with a total of 18. His 11 intentional walks are already tied for the most by any Sun Devil in a season since 1998 (Jeff Larish with 11 in 67 games in 2005). His 11 intentional walks are more than the entire Sun Devil TEAM posted in 13 of the last 22 seasons.
- In Torkelson's last five inentional walks, Hauver has gone 2-for-3 with six RBIs, a two-run homer and a walk-off RBI walk.
- Erik Tolman has 20 strikeouts through 11.1 innings between his two starts.
INNING-BY-INNING
First inning
Erik Tolman struck out the first batter of the game but then walked the next three batters. With the bases loaded, Tolman struck out the next two batters as ASU came away unscathed. Spencer Torkelson and Trevor Hauver were able to get on base as Gage Workman then brought home a run with an RBI-single on the first pitch.
Second inning
Tolman put New Mexico State down 1-2-3. ASU loaded up the bases, but Trevor Hauver was unable to bring in any runs as the Sun Devils still led 1-0 after two innings.
Third inning
The Aggies got their first hit of the game, but Tolman struck out two more and a ground out to Torkelson stopped New Mexico State. The Aggies struck out three of ASU batters to end the inning.
Fourth inning
Tolman got another two strikeouts to reach a total of eight as the Aggies went down in order. Nick Cheema got a leadoff single but the Sun Devils were unable to capitalize.
Fifth inning
Both teams went down in order in the fifth for an eventless inning as Tolman was still yet to give up a run through five.
Sixth inning
After getting the first out, Tolman's day was done as Cam Dennie came in relief. Two groundouts stopped the Aggies from doing anything. However, New Mexico State was able to keep the Sun Devil offense from making much happen as well, retiring the side with two strikeouts.
Seventh Inning
The Aggies grounded out three straight times as they remained scoreless. Alika Williams singled and stole second to start the inning. Hauver brought him home with a single to give the Sun Devils a 2-0 lead.
Eighth inning
The Sun Devils gave up two walks and two hits as New Mexico State scored three runs to take the lead late in the game. ASU was able to get two runners on base to let Alika Williams deliver a clutch two-RBI triple to give the Sun Devils the lead. A sac-fly by Hauver scored another run as Arizona State now had a 5-3 lead.
Ninth inning
Still going with RJ Dabovich, Dabovich gave up a triple and then a balk was called to bring the lead within one. With runners at the corners, the Aggies were able to score and tie the game on a muffed throw by Torkelson. The Sun Devils were unable to get anything going, ending the inning on a pickoff.
Tenth inning
Christian Bodlovich made quick work of the Aggies, retiring them 1-2-3 with a strikeout. Myles Denson reached on an error and Dusty Garcia recorded his first hit on a perfect drag bunt. After a flyout by Williams, Torkelson was intentionally walked again to load up the bases. Hauver came up to the plate and was able to draw a walk to give the Sun Devils the win.
Up next
Arizona State begins its series with the Nebraska Cornhuskers Friday night at 6:30 p.m. AZT at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on the ASU Livestream.