PHOENIX - Sun Devil Baseball dropped the series finale to Santa Clara, 14-13, Sunday afternoon at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Arizona State's (2-1) offensive prowess was on full display throughout the series victory over the defending WCC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Broncos. The Maroon & Gold scored double digit runs for the third-straight game (38 runs combined), but it was not enough to earn the sweep to open the season.
Despite falling behind 7-3 and 11-7 and trailing a total of five different times, ASU put forth multiple comeback efforts. A relentless approach from the Sun Devil offense yet again proved to be difficult for the Broncos pitching staff to handle, as four different players finished with multi-hit games. Ryan Campos led the way with his first career multi-home run game. Harris Williams added a blast of his own as a part of a three-hit day. Freshman Ethan Mendoza continued a hot start to his career, going 5-for-5 on the day.
Right-hander Tyler Meyer made his return from shoulder surgery, making his first appearance since May of 2022. He was one of five pitchers to take the mound for the Sun Devils against a potent Santa Clara offense. The Broncos were able to slug their way to several leads throughout the contest and eventually secured a 14-13 victory.
BIG MOMENT
He did it again. Known for his prolific defense, Isaiah Jackson did not disappoint in Sunday's contest. Broncos' catcher Ben Steck sent a ball to deep center field to lead off the fifth inning. It appeared bound for a home run and a 5-3 Santa Clara lead, but Isaiah Jackson had other ideas. The sophomore sprinted over before sizing up the ball and wall, gathering himself and timing a jump perfectly to bring a ball back from over the fence.
TURNING POINT
It appeared that Santa Clara was set to cruise to a victory, as they jumped out to a 11-7 lead heading into the home half of the seventh. As they did all series, the Arizona State offense responded in a big way. Following an RBI-groundout that made it 11-8 and a clutch two-out walk from Nu'u Contrades, the stage was set for 2023 First Team Pac-12 All-Conference selection Ryan Campos, who represented the tying run with two runners on. Campos greeted new Broncos' reliever Max Bayles by smacking a game-tying three-run home run on an 0-2 count to give the Sun Devils life.
FINAL STRAW
A two-run ninth inning from Santa Clara gave them a 14-12 lead, their fifth of the game. One final rally from the Sun Devils sparked by a Harris Williams lead-off home run opened the door to a dramatic comeback. However, Broncos' left-hander Sebastian Schreiber retired Sun Devil outfielder Isaiah Jackson with two-outs and two runners on to earn the save.
NOTABLES
61 vs. Southern Utah, 2007
46 vs. Notre Dame, 2019
44 vs. Northern Illinois. 2010
40 vs. Western Michigan, 2012
38 vs. Santa Clara, 2024
33 vs. Utah, 2000
FROM LAST NIGHT
First Inning
Taking the mound for the first time since May of 2022, Tyler Meyer made his return from shoulder surgery. He proceeded to strike out the first batter he faced, setting down Broncos lead-off man JoJo Berring. However, Bering managed to reach base via wild pitch on the strikeout and advanced to second on a throwing error. Meyer turned around and retired the next batter, but found himself in a jam after hitting Santa Clara's Efrain Manzo.
With runners now on the corners, Meyer recorded a huge punch-out of clean up hitter Dylan Joyce. He induced weak contact from the ensuing batter, but a well-placed two-out infield single allowed Santa Clara to take an early 1-0 lead.
In need of an answer to the Broncos first-inning run, the Sun Devil offense did what they have done all weekend and jumped on Broncos' starter right-hander Cole Kitchen. Nu'u Contrades reached base via hit by pitch and was immediately driven in thanks to a Ryan Campos two-run home run. The preseason Pac-12 All-Conference selection went the other way for his first home run of the year, giving ASU a 2-1 lead.
The offense wasn't done producing, as Jacob Tobias continued the hitting with a single back up the middle. Kevin Karstetter moved him over to second after earning a walk and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Isaiah Jackson came to the plate with the correct approach, getting the ball in the air and driving in Tobias to extend the lead to 3-1.
Second Inning
Santa Clara offered an answer of their own, posting three runs in the top half of the second to retake a 4-3 lead. The first four batters of the inning reached base and the Broncos scored a pair of runs before Meyer recorded his fourth strikeout of the game. The right-hander was able to limit the damage to just one more run, as Santa Clara added an RBI-single to take a 4-3 lead. Meyer stranded a pair of Broncos by freezing Malcolm Williams with a curveball, notching his fifth strikeout through two innings.
Freshman infielder Ethan Mendoza singled up the middle to lead off the bottom half of the frame to give him two hits in his first two career at bats. Already taking his second at bat in two innings, Harris Williams took advantage of the familiarity and delivered a double to the right field corner. With two runners in scoring position, the Broncos were able to induce two ground ball outs that ended the Sun Devil rally and kept the score 4-3.
Third Inning
For the second consecutive inning, the Broncos scored three runs which pushed their lead to 7-3. Tyler Meyer was able to record the first two outs of the inning, but left a runner on third before giving way to right-hander Jonah Giblin for his 2024 debut. The inherited runner scored on a two-out single and the big blow of the inning came courtesy of a two-run home run from Broncos outfielder JoJo Berring.
A relentless offensive approach paid off for the Sun Devils in the bottom half, as they responded with X runs. The rally started with a Tobias single, already his second of the day. Karstetter earned his way on via free pass for the second time, giving ASU two runners on with no outs. After Jackson lined out to right field, outfielder Brandon Compton put together a great at bat and worked a walk. With the bases now loaded, ASU scored a pair of runs on a sun-aided single by freshman Ethan Mendoza. Mendoza's high fly ball to left field was lost by the Broncos outfielder, allowing two runs to score.
Arizona State wasn't done scoring, as Santa Clara's four-run lead would be completely erased by the end of the inning. Starting right-hander Cole Kitchen was chased after just 2.1 innings of work, as right-hander August Souza came into the game. Freshman infielder Jax Ryan greeted him with his first hit as a Sun Devil, a single to left field. Lead-off hitter Harris Williams came through in his third at bat in as many innings, punching a double into the left-center gap to score a pair of runs and tie the game at seven.
Fourth Inning
The Arizona State pitching staff provided a necessary shutdown inning. It came courtesy of Jonah Giblin, who benefited from having a fresh inning to work with. The right-hander managed to work out of a jam with two runners in scoring position, as Harris Williams ran down a ball in right field to secure the third out and keep the score even at seven.
For the first time all game, the Sun Devil offense was set down in order. Broncos right-hander August Souza struck out the side as the game remained tied.
Fifth Inning
Isaiah Jackson brought the Phoenix Municipal Stadium crowd to their feet, robbing Ben Steck of a home run to center field. He leaped well over the center field wall to secure the ball, adding to his reputation as a defensive wizard. The Broncos were able to retake the lead thanks to a three-run shot by Efrain Manzo, ending Jonah Giblin's day. Left-hander Ben Jacobs came on to get the final out, needing just three pitches to record a strikeout.
A pair of freshmen at the bottom of the order stepped up to get the inning started in a positive way for ASU. First it was a single by Ethan Mendoza, moving him to 4-for-4 to start his Sun Devil career. Jax Ryan followed with a walk, setting the stage for the top of the lineup. Broncos reliever August Souza worked around the action on the base paths, retiring the top three hitters in the ASU lineup to keep the Santa Clara lead at 10-7.
Sixth Inning
Broncos infielder Malcolm Williams kicked off the inning with a home run to left field, extending the visitor's lead to 11-7. Reliever Ben Jacobs settled in after that, retiring the next three batters in order.
Broncos reliever August Souza remained in the game and for the second time, set the Sun Devils down in 1-2-3 fashion.
Seventh Inning
Ben Jacobs provided the Sun Devils critical innings in relief, putting together a clean seventh frame. He set the Broncos down in order, securing ASU's first 1-2-3 inning of the game.
It was up to the Arizona State offense to attempt to keep the momentum on the home side. The freshman-led bottom of the order kicked off the rally, with Brandon Compton drawing a walk and Ethan Mendoza collecting his fourth hit of the game. Both baserunners moved up on a wild pitch and it was Harris Williams who came through with a sac fly to cut the lead to 11-8. Nu'u Contrades worked a walk to put the tying run at the plate in the form of Ryan Campos. Despite falling behind 0-2 in the count, Campos turned around a fastball from newly-entered reliever Max Bayles and sent it over the center field fence to tie the game at 11.
Eighth Inning
Freshman left-hander Cole Carlon got the call as the next arm out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils. Two runners reached via a free pass, one walk and one hit by pitch, which was followed by an RBI single from Jordan Lewis to give the Broncos a 12-11 lead. Right-hander Hunter Omlid entered the game for the second-straight day and shut the door on any additional Broncos' rally.
As they had all weekend, the Sun Devil offense put together a response. Isaiah Jackson drew a one-out walk and made a great read on a wild pitch that allowed him to advance to second. Freshman Ethan Mendoza continued the torrid start to his career, coming through with a massive two-out hit. He roped a single to left field that nearly went over the fence to give ASU the lead, but still managed to tie the game at 12.
Ninth Inning
Santa Clara had one final rally in them, as they took a late lead with a two-run ninth inning. A lead-off walk followed by a two-run home run from JoJo Berring put the Broncos on top, 14-12. Omlid retired the final three batters of the inning to prevent any further damage.
Despite facing another deficit, it did not faze the Sun Devil offense. They once again put together a comeback effort, sparked by a lead off home run by Harris Williams, which shrunk the lead to 14-13. Right-handed reliever Jace Gillmore came into the game and retired the first two batters he faced, but Jacob Tobias and Kevin Karstetter each took one for the team and earned their base via hit by pitch. With two on and two outs, the game came down to a showdown between new reliever left-hander Sebastian Schreiber and Sun Devil outfielder Isaiah Jackson. Schreiber got Jackson to pop out to second base, securing the series finale for the Broncos.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a midweek matchup with No. 24 Kansas State on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 PM MST. Arizona State will be making their Pac-12 Network debut, with the broadcast available at the following link. Tickets are on sale now.
Arizona State's (2-1) offensive prowess was on full display throughout the series victory over the defending WCC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Broncos. The Maroon & Gold scored double digit runs for the third-straight game (38 runs combined), but it was not enough to earn the sweep to open the season.
Despite falling behind 7-3 and 11-7 and trailing a total of five different times, ASU put forth multiple comeback efforts. A relentless approach from the Sun Devil offense yet again proved to be difficult for the Broncos pitching staff to handle, as four different players finished with multi-hit games. Ryan Campos led the way with his first career multi-home run game. Harris Williams added a blast of his own as a part of a three-hit day. Freshman Ethan Mendoza continued a hot start to his career, going 5-for-5 on the day.
Right-hander Tyler Meyer made his return from shoulder surgery, making his first appearance since May of 2022. He was one of five pitchers to take the mound for the Sun Devils against a potent Santa Clara offense. The Broncos were able to slug their way to several leads throughout the contest and eventually secured a 14-13 victory.
BIG MOMENT
He did it again. Known for his prolific defense, Isaiah Jackson did not disappoint in Sunday's contest. Broncos' catcher Ben Steck sent a ball to deep center field to lead off the fifth inning. It appeared bound for a home run and a 5-3 Santa Clara lead, but Isaiah Jackson had other ideas. The sophomore sprinted over before sizing up the ball and wall, gathering himself and timing a jump perfectly to bring a ball back from over the fence.
TURNING POINT
It appeared that Santa Clara was set to cruise to a victory, as they jumped out to a 11-7 lead heading into the home half of the seventh. As they did all series, the Arizona State offense responded in a big way. Following an RBI-groundout that made it 11-8 and a clutch two-out walk from Nu'u Contrades, the stage was set for 2023 First Team Pac-12 All-Conference selection Ryan Campos, who represented the tying run with two runners on. Campos greeted new Broncos' reliever Max Bayles by smacking a game-tying three-run home run on an 0-2 count to give the Sun Devils life.
FINAL STRAW
A two-run ninth inning from Santa Clara gave them a 14-12 lead, their fifth of the game. One final rally from the Sun Devils sparked by a Harris Williams lead-off home run opened the door to a dramatic comeback. However, Broncos' left-hander Sebastian Schreiber retired Sun Devil outfielder Isaiah Jackson with two-outs and two runners on to earn the save.
NOTABLES
- Arizona State scored three runs in the first inning, four in the third, and four in the seventh.
- They now have six innings with 3+ and four with 4+ runs scored through three games.
- Ethan Mendoza finished the game 5-for-5 and has now started his career with six hits in six at bats.
- He joins Luke Keaschall (5-for-5 vs. Cal State Fullerton, 4/25/2023) as the only Sun Devils to go 5-for-5 over the past six seasons.
- The Sun Devils have hit three or more home runs in each of the first three games (10 total).
- Isaiah Jackson's 10 RBI this weekend marked the most by an ASU player in a season-opening series since 2007, when Matt Spencer had 13 RBI against Southern Utah.
- Santa Clara starter Cole Kitchen came into the game with a 3.93 ERA in 217.1 innings pitched.
- Arizona State tagged him with seven earned runs in only 2.1 innings.
- The seven earned runs are the most allowed by Kitchen in his 52-career appearances.
- The Sun Devils enjoyed similar success off an equally accomplished pitcher when right-hander August Souza came into relief.
- Souza posted a 1.69 ERA in 32.0 innings pitched in 2023, leading the Broncos with five saves.
- Arizona State plated three earned runs off of him in 4.1 innings. He did not allow more than two earned runs in 12 appearances a season ago.
- Ryan Campos hit a pair of home runs, finishing with a total of five RBIs.
- It is the first multi-home run game of Campos' career.
- The five RBIs also represent a career-best.
- Of ASU's 46 hits in the first three games of the season, 22 have been for extra bases (12 doubles, 10 homers) - giving the team an .746 slugging percentage as a whole.
- Last season, Santa Clara led the WCC in team ERA, WHIP, hits allowed per nine and walks allowed per nine and held opponents to a .244 average for the season. In the three-game series, ASU has forced the Santa Clara pitching staff into a 12.96 ERA with a 2.44 WHIP and posting a .390 average.
- The 38 runs scored by the Sun Devils are the most Santa Clara has allowed in a three-game set to open the season since they gave up 32 to San Jose State in 2019.
- The last time Santa Clara allowed double digit runs in three-straight games was April 27, 28 vs. St. Mary's and April 30 against UC Davis during the 2013 season.
- Arizona State is the first team to score double digits in three-straight games since UC Riverside did it March 16-18, 2007.
- To take it a step further, the Sun Devils were matched up with long-time Stanford (2010-17) and San Diego State (1994-2009) pitching coach Rusty Filter, who is now the head coach at Santa Clara. The last time a Rusty Filter coached team gave up double digits runs in three-straight games is back from March 12-18, 2006 (six games) when he was the pitching coach at San Diego State.
- Arizona State scored 38 runs against Santa Clara, the most in a three-game series to open the season since the Sun Devils put up 46 runs in a sweep of Notre Dame at the start of the 2019 season.
61 vs. Southern Utah, 2007
46 vs. Notre Dame, 2019
44 vs. Northern Illinois. 2010
40 vs. Western Michigan, 2012
38 vs. Santa Clara, 2024
33 vs. Utah, 2000
FROM LAST NIGHT
- Isaiah Jackson and Jacob Tobias are the first two Sun Devils to hit home runs in each of the first two games of the season since 2020 MLB 1st Overall Pick Spencer Torkleson did it to start the 2020 season. They are two of only four Sun Devils to accomplish the feat since 2000, joined by Riccio Torrez in 2011 (three in two games) and Jason Kipnis in 2008.
First Inning
Taking the mound for the first time since May of 2022, Tyler Meyer made his return from shoulder surgery. He proceeded to strike out the first batter he faced, setting down Broncos lead-off man JoJo Berring. However, Bering managed to reach base via wild pitch on the strikeout and advanced to second on a throwing error. Meyer turned around and retired the next batter, but found himself in a jam after hitting Santa Clara's Efrain Manzo.
With runners now on the corners, Meyer recorded a huge punch-out of clean up hitter Dylan Joyce. He induced weak contact from the ensuing batter, but a well-placed two-out infield single allowed Santa Clara to take an early 1-0 lead.
In need of an answer to the Broncos first-inning run, the Sun Devil offense did what they have done all weekend and jumped on Broncos' starter right-hander Cole Kitchen. Nu'u Contrades reached base via hit by pitch and was immediately driven in thanks to a Ryan Campos two-run home run. The preseason Pac-12 All-Conference selection went the other way for his first home run of the year, giving ASU a 2-1 lead.
The offense wasn't done producing, as Jacob Tobias continued the hitting with a single back up the middle. Kevin Karstetter moved him over to second after earning a walk and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Isaiah Jackson came to the plate with the correct approach, getting the ball in the air and driving in Tobias to extend the lead to 3-1.
Second Inning
Santa Clara offered an answer of their own, posting three runs in the top half of the second to retake a 4-3 lead. The first four batters of the inning reached base and the Broncos scored a pair of runs before Meyer recorded his fourth strikeout of the game. The right-hander was able to limit the damage to just one more run, as Santa Clara added an RBI-single to take a 4-3 lead. Meyer stranded a pair of Broncos by freezing Malcolm Williams with a curveball, notching his fifth strikeout through two innings.
Freshman infielder Ethan Mendoza singled up the middle to lead off the bottom half of the frame to give him two hits in his first two career at bats. Already taking his second at bat in two innings, Harris Williams took advantage of the familiarity and delivered a double to the right field corner. With two runners in scoring position, the Broncos were able to induce two ground ball outs that ended the Sun Devil rally and kept the score 4-3.
Third Inning
For the second consecutive inning, the Broncos scored three runs which pushed their lead to 7-3. Tyler Meyer was able to record the first two outs of the inning, but left a runner on third before giving way to right-hander Jonah Giblin for his 2024 debut. The inherited runner scored on a two-out single and the big blow of the inning came courtesy of a two-run home run from Broncos outfielder JoJo Berring.
A relentless offensive approach paid off for the Sun Devils in the bottom half, as they responded with X runs. The rally started with a Tobias single, already his second of the day. Karstetter earned his way on via free pass for the second time, giving ASU two runners on with no outs. After Jackson lined out to right field, outfielder Brandon Compton put together a great at bat and worked a walk. With the bases now loaded, ASU scored a pair of runs on a sun-aided single by freshman Ethan Mendoza. Mendoza's high fly ball to left field was lost by the Broncos outfielder, allowing two runs to score.
Arizona State wasn't done scoring, as Santa Clara's four-run lead would be completely erased by the end of the inning. Starting right-hander Cole Kitchen was chased after just 2.1 innings of work, as right-hander August Souza came into the game. Freshman infielder Jax Ryan greeted him with his first hit as a Sun Devil, a single to left field. Lead-off hitter Harris Williams came through in his third at bat in as many innings, punching a double into the left-center gap to score a pair of runs and tie the game at seven.
Fourth Inning
The Arizona State pitching staff provided a necessary shutdown inning. It came courtesy of Jonah Giblin, who benefited from having a fresh inning to work with. The right-hander managed to work out of a jam with two runners in scoring position, as Harris Williams ran down a ball in right field to secure the third out and keep the score even at seven.
For the first time all game, the Sun Devil offense was set down in order. Broncos right-hander August Souza struck out the side as the game remained tied.
Fifth Inning
Isaiah Jackson brought the Phoenix Municipal Stadium crowd to their feet, robbing Ben Steck of a home run to center field. He leaped well over the center field wall to secure the ball, adding to his reputation as a defensive wizard. The Broncos were able to retake the lead thanks to a three-run shot by Efrain Manzo, ending Jonah Giblin's day. Left-hander Ben Jacobs came on to get the final out, needing just three pitches to record a strikeout.
A pair of freshmen at the bottom of the order stepped up to get the inning started in a positive way for ASU. First it was a single by Ethan Mendoza, moving him to 4-for-4 to start his Sun Devil career. Jax Ryan followed with a walk, setting the stage for the top of the lineup. Broncos reliever August Souza worked around the action on the base paths, retiring the top three hitters in the ASU lineup to keep the Santa Clara lead at 10-7.
Sixth Inning
Broncos infielder Malcolm Williams kicked off the inning with a home run to left field, extending the visitor's lead to 11-7. Reliever Ben Jacobs settled in after that, retiring the next three batters in order.
Broncos reliever August Souza remained in the game and for the second time, set the Sun Devils down in 1-2-3 fashion.
Seventh Inning
Ben Jacobs provided the Sun Devils critical innings in relief, putting together a clean seventh frame. He set the Broncos down in order, securing ASU's first 1-2-3 inning of the game.
It was up to the Arizona State offense to attempt to keep the momentum on the home side. The freshman-led bottom of the order kicked off the rally, with Brandon Compton drawing a walk and Ethan Mendoza collecting his fourth hit of the game. Both baserunners moved up on a wild pitch and it was Harris Williams who came through with a sac fly to cut the lead to 11-8. Nu'u Contrades worked a walk to put the tying run at the plate in the form of Ryan Campos. Despite falling behind 0-2 in the count, Campos turned around a fastball from newly-entered reliever Max Bayles and sent it over the center field fence to tie the game at 11.
Eighth Inning
Freshman left-hander Cole Carlon got the call as the next arm out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils. Two runners reached via a free pass, one walk and one hit by pitch, which was followed by an RBI single from Jordan Lewis to give the Broncos a 12-11 lead. Right-hander Hunter Omlid entered the game for the second-straight day and shut the door on any additional Broncos' rally.
As they had all weekend, the Sun Devil offense put together a response. Isaiah Jackson drew a one-out walk and made a great read on a wild pitch that allowed him to advance to second. Freshman Ethan Mendoza continued the torrid start to his career, coming through with a massive two-out hit. He roped a single to left field that nearly went over the fence to give ASU the lead, but still managed to tie the game at 12.
Ninth Inning
Santa Clara had one final rally in them, as they took a late lead with a two-run ninth inning. A lead-off walk followed by a two-run home run from JoJo Berring put the Broncos on top, 14-12. Omlid retired the final three batters of the inning to prevent any further damage.
Despite facing another deficit, it did not faze the Sun Devil offense. They once again put together a comeback effort, sparked by a lead off home run by Harris Williams, which shrunk the lead to 14-13. Right-handed reliever Jace Gillmore came into the game and retired the first two batters he faced, but Jacob Tobias and Kevin Karstetter each took one for the team and earned their base via hit by pitch. With two on and two outs, the game came down to a showdown between new reliever left-hander Sebastian Schreiber and Sun Devil outfielder Isaiah Jackson. Schreiber got Jackson to pop out to second base, securing the series finale for the Broncos.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a midweek matchup with No. 24 Kansas State on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 PM MST. Arizona State will be making their Pac-12 Network debut, with the broadcast available at the following link. Tickets are on sale now.