PHOENIX - Sun Devil Baseball bounced back from its first loss of the year with an emphatic 9-6 victory over No. 24 Kansas State (2-2, 0-0) on Tuesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Facing a ranked squad that threw its Friday-night starter and its All-American closer in a midweek contest, Arizona State (3-1, 0-0) came back from an early three-run deficit with three runs in the third inning to tie the game. From there the Sun Devils never trailed again. Center fielder Isaiah Jackson continued his hot start to the year, smashing his third home run of the season to center field and embarking on a three-RBI night, his third game out of four with three RBIs.
FIU transfer Steven Ondina showed flashes of brilliance on the defensive side, with an early snag to keep the Wildcats scoreless in the first inning. On the offensive side, Ondina went 2-of-4, scoring in the third frame. Catcher Ryan Campos secured two RBIs on the night, including a key insurance run in the eighth inning to give ASU a 4-run cushion entering the ninth frame.
Three different Sun Devil pitchers came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs and all three got an inning-ending strikeout to get out of the jam - two of those making their Sun Devil debuts in Ryan Schiefer and Matt Cornelius.
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens got the nod to begin the game, throwing four strikeouts in four innings and registering only one walk. Cornelius worked an inning and a third of action across the seventh and eighth innings, striking out two and earning the win. Matt Tieding put the finishing touches on a bases-loaded situation in the ninth - inheriting a 2-0 count to boot - and got a massive strikeout to wrap up the Sun Devils' third win of the year.
TURNING POINT
Facing a three-run deficit entering the third inning, the Sun Devils worked three runs across the plate led by an opening walk by Trey Newman, and a single by Ondina which led to Contrades doubling down the line to score ASU's first run. Then, a Campos fielder's choice brought Ondina home. Lastly, Jacob Tobias put the finishing touches on the frame with a single to right field, scoring Contrades to tie the game 3-3 in the third.
BIG MOMENT
Tied at five in the bottom of the seventh inning, Campos was hit by a pitch, setting up Karstetter to single. With two runners on base and no outs, Isaiah Jackson came up big with a bases-clearing single, scoring both Sun Devil runners and taking a 7-5 lead going into the eighth inning.
FINAL STRAW
Kansas State ended up opening the ninth frame with a walk followed by a single to put runners in scoring position and ended up getting a run off of a sacrifice fly. Another walk brought Matt Tieding into the game, inheriting a 2-0 count, based loaded, two outs situation with the Sun Devils ahead 9-6. He worked a strikeout to secure the Sun Devil victory.
NOTABLES
First Inning:
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens began the game with a strikeout. A good throw from Steven Ondina at shortstop called the second runner out at first. The third batter became Behrens' second collegiate strikeout.
Harris Williams stepped up to the plate and watched four balls in a row go by him. A strikeout ensued, followed by a double-play on a hit to second base.
Second Inning:
Kansas State opened the frame with a blooper base hit, but senior shortstop Steven Ondina had a diving snag to convert on the 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. The Wildcats got another base hit, which would then later turn into a two-run home run to take an early 2-0 lead.
Senior DH Kevin Karstetter worked a walk with an out for the Sun Devils then stole second, but was left stranded keeping the deficit at two entering the third frame.
Third Inning
After walking the first batter, Behrens caught him leading off at first. A throw-and-catch from third baseman Nu'u Contrades to first baseman Jacob Tobias recorded the Sun Devils second out just before another home run from Kansas State put them up 3-0. Behrens' third strikeout ended the frame.
A 4-0 count led Trey Newman to first, followed by a strong single down the right side from Steven Ondina. With one out, Nu'u Contrades doubled down the right line to bring a run in and leave runners on second and third. An RBI by Ryan Campos left the Sun Devils down one with Jacob Tobias at the plate. His two-out launch to right center field evened the score at three apiece. A controversial swing ended the inning.
Fourth Inning
Behrens settled into the game accounting for his second 1-2-3 inning of the contest, which included his fourth strikeout and an impressive snag to end the inning for the Wildcats.
Leading off the fourth frame, Isaiah Jackson smashed a team-leading third home run of the season to direct center field, giving the Sun Devils a 4-3 lead but was unable to muster any baserunners as the maroon & gold headed into the fifth frame with a one-run lead.
Fifth Inning
Freshman Bradyn Barnes stepped up to the mound for the first time and delivered a three-pitch strikeout to begin the frame. After being walked, the second batter stole second. Another walk left runners on first and second, both eventually stealing second and third. The next batter was intentionally walked, leaving the bases loaded. After another walk tied the game, Ryan Schiefer took the mound and delivered the strikeout needed.
Harris Williams got on base via walk and subsequently stole second. Nu'u Contrades took the next walk. A flyout and two strikeouts ended the inning.
Sixth Inning
Schiefer remained on the bump and went down the order keeping any Wildcats off the bag in the sixth frame. Third baseman Nu'u Contrades made a sweet snag down the third base line to make it a clean inning.
Pinch hitter Brandon Compton singled with two outs in the sixth inning by sneaking a hit past the second baseman, then Ondina found the gap to put runners on first and second. Then on a 3-2 count, Williams belted a base hit to left field to score Compton putting ASU ahead 5-4. But with runners on second and third, Contrades was unable to extend the lead.
Seventh Inning
The seventh inning saw two pitching changes, with Wyatt Halvorson entering with a runner on first and second and no outs. A double-play left a runner on third. Kansas State earned a walk and a base hit to tie the game at five with runners on first and second again. Both runners stole bases and another walk led to a fourth pitching change. Matt Cornelius came in to attempt one out with the bases loaded. He delivered, stranding three runners and closing the frame 5-5.
Ryan Campos was hit by pitch on a full count. A single to the right side by Kevin Karstetter got runners on first and second, both of which stole bases on a wild pitch. Isaiah Jackson then singled through the right side for his 12th and 13th RBI of the young season. With two outs, pinch-hitter Brandon Compton was walked and forced a pitching change by the Wildcats. A strikeout left the Sun Devils up 7-5.
Eighth Inning:
Cornelius took care of business in the eighth and stranded a lone runner on second base keeping the Sun Devil lead at two entering the bottom half of the frame.
Williams worked a leadoff walk to begin the frame, then a wild pitch advanced him to second base with no outs. Then a deep flyball by Contrades advanced Williams to third base with an one out. Campos hit a hard hit chopper to the first baseman, but Williams was too quick with his speed and beat the tag to give the Sun Devils an 8-5 lead. Katstetter provided more insurance with a blooper base hit over the second baseman, scoring Campos to give ASU a 4-run cushion going into the ninth frame.
Ninth Inning
A walk and a hit preceded a fly out to center field. Another walk loaded the bases. Left fielder Ryan Campos then sprinted to make a play on a fly ball, letting up one run. Another walk filled the bases again. Coming in with a batter already on a 2-0 count, Matt Tieding saved the day with a strikeout.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a four-game tilt against Ohio State beginning on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 PM MST. Arizona State will be on Pac-12 Network with the broadcast available at the following link. Tickets are on sale now.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
On the team's versatility to be able to put up big numbers and then win games like tonight:
"We were just talking a minute ago about the offense's dynamic that we can beat you in more ways than one. We don't have to rely on home runs to beat you. We can steal bases, we can play hit and run, go the other way, execute a great contact play that can't be rolled over and Harris (Williams) scores on that. Good offenses are dynamic and have more ways to beat you than one, and that's what we're striving to do. Obviously, it's nice and fun when you just sit back and hit the long ball, but there's going to be times where you have to manufacture and execute and do things to score runs and we were able to do that a little bit tonight."
Senior pitcher Matt Tieding
On how he calms the pressure when coming into the closing role with bases loaded:
"I don't really know if you do. That's why you play baseball, right? It's moments like that. It wasn't about calming the pressure for me at all. It was about embracing it, just having fun in it. Taking that whole moment in was more of the mentality rather than just trying to calm down."
Sophomore center fielder Isaiah Jackson
On how much trust they have in batters 1-9 being able to make it happen:
"I think it goes deeper than nine. We have 20 guys that are able to come in and pinch hit, and you saw that today. We were talking about how it's a huge team win. We had eight pitchers come in. We had a bunch of defensive change, guys coming in and out of the game. (Brandon) Compton having to pinch hit, good at-bat. It was just a lot of team stuff that went on that led to that win."
Senior shortstop Steven Ondina
On how much pride he takes in his defensive ability:
"I would say it's what I've been known for. I always try to take pride in it because nobody does and it's something that I've loved since I'm little. Playing shortstop and making all those great plays for a team because at the end it does matter. I take pride in working on it every day."
Junior pitcher Ryan Schiefer
On how Assistant Coach Anthony Gilich made the transition to ASU easy for him:
"Gilly made it really, really easy for me. Guided me in the right direction with the person I am, which is my favorite part about him teaching me was that he could teach me to be a better person, not just a better player. Everything within that translates to school, outside of that as a person, and then playing baseball, too."
Junior pitcher Matt Cornelius
On what it's like to have Steven Ondina behind you as a pitcher:
"It's like speechless. I mean, you throw a pitch, look back, and he's in a different spot from where he was. It's ridiculous. I love the guy and he's an amazing baseball player."
Facing a ranked squad that threw its Friday-night starter and its All-American closer in a midweek contest, Arizona State (3-1, 0-0) came back from an early three-run deficit with three runs in the third inning to tie the game. From there the Sun Devils never trailed again. Center fielder Isaiah Jackson continued his hot start to the year, smashing his third home run of the season to center field and embarking on a three-RBI night, his third game out of four with three RBIs.
FIU transfer Steven Ondina showed flashes of brilliance on the defensive side, with an early snag to keep the Wildcats scoreless in the first inning. On the offensive side, Ondina went 2-of-4, scoring in the third frame. Catcher Ryan Campos secured two RBIs on the night, including a key insurance run in the eighth inning to give ASU a 4-run cushion entering the ninth frame.
Three different Sun Devil pitchers came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs and all three got an inning-ending strikeout to get out of the jam - two of those making their Sun Devil debuts in Ryan Schiefer and Matt Cornelius.
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens got the nod to begin the game, throwing four strikeouts in four innings and registering only one walk. Cornelius worked an inning and a third of action across the seventh and eighth innings, striking out two and earning the win. Matt Tieding put the finishing touches on a bases-loaded situation in the ninth - inheriting a 2-0 count to boot - and got a massive strikeout to wrap up the Sun Devils' third win of the year.
TURNING POINT
Facing a three-run deficit entering the third inning, the Sun Devils worked three runs across the plate led by an opening walk by Trey Newman, and a single by Ondina which led to Contrades doubling down the line to score ASU's first run. Then, a Campos fielder's choice brought Ondina home. Lastly, Jacob Tobias put the finishing touches on the frame with a single to right field, scoring Contrades to tie the game 3-3 in the third.
BIG MOMENT
Tied at five in the bottom of the seventh inning, Campos was hit by a pitch, setting up Karstetter to single. With two runners on base and no outs, Isaiah Jackson came up big with a bases-clearing single, scoring both Sun Devil runners and taking a 7-5 lead going into the eighth inning.
FINAL STRAW
Kansas State ended up opening the ninth frame with a walk followed by a single to put runners in scoring position and ended up getting a run off of a sacrifice fly. Another walk brought Matt Tieding into the game, inheriting a 2-0 count, based loaded, two outs situation with the Sun Devils ahead 9-6. He worked a strikeout to secure the Sun Devil victory.
NOTABLES
- Arizona State scored three runs in the third inning,
- They now have seven innings with 3+ and four with 4+ runs scored through three games..
- The Sun Devils won nine games last season in which they trailed by at least three runs at one point in the game. ASU came just shy of adding to that against Santa Clara on Sunday but did take care of the three-run comeback tonight.
- Sophomore center fielder Isaiah Jackson smashed his third home run of the season, which now leads the team. He's notched a long ball in three of the last four games to begin the year, accounting for 13 RBIs' - notable as he didn't get his 13th RBI until the 29th game of the season last year.
- Even further, his two hits tonight mark his third multi-hit game of the season in four games, and his 15th multi-hit game in his Sun Devil career with three RBIs.
- San Francisco transfer Harris Williams secured his seventh hit and RBI of the season with a single in the sixth frame, giving ASU a 5-4 lead.
- Shortstop Steven Ondina registered the 24th multi-hit game of his collegiate career, his second this season going 2-for-3 and scoring a run.
- Sun Devil Baseball moves to 4-2 all-time against the Wildcats ahead of the future Big 12 matchup in 2025.
- The Sun Devils have reached double digit hits in each contest this season.
- While the 12 walks were unsightly, the Sun Devil pitching staff struck out 11 Kansas State batters and stranded 11 Wildcat baserunners. It was the third time in four games this season that ASU pitchers had struck out 10 or more batters.
First Inning:
Freshman pitcher Adam Behrens began the game with a strikeout. A good throw from Steven Ondina at shortstop called the second runner out at first. The third batter became Behrens' second collegiate strikeout.
Harris Williams stepped up to the plate and watched four balls in a row go by him. A strikeout ensued, followed by a double-play on a hit to second base.
Second Inning:
Kansas State opened the frame with a blooper base hit, but senior shortstop Steven Ondina had a diving snag to convert on the 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. The Wildcats got another base hit, which would then later turn into a two-run home run to take an early 2-0 lead.
Senior DH Kevin Karstetter worked a walk with an out for the Sun Devils then stole second, but was left stranded keeping the deficit at two entering the third frame.
Third Inning
After walking the first batter, Behrens caught him leading off at first. A throw-and-catch from third baseman Nu'u Contrades to first baseman Jacob Tobias recorded the Sun Devils second out just before another home run from Kansas State put them up 3-0. Behrens' third strikeout ended the frame.
A 4-0 count led Trey Newman to first, followed by a strong single down the right side from Steven Ondina. With one out, Nu'u Contrades doubled down the right line to bring a run in and leave runners on second and third. An RBI by Ryan Campos left the Sun Devils down one with Jacob Tobias at the plate. His two-out launch to right center field evened the score at three apiece. A controversial swing ended the inning.
Fourth Inning
Behrens settled into the game accounting for his second 1-2-3 inning of the contest, which included his fourth strikeout and an impressive snag to end the inning for the Wildcats.
Leading off the fourth frame, Isaiah Jackson smashed a team-leading third home run of the season to direct center field, giving the Sun Devils a 4-3 lead but was unable to muster any baserunners as the maroon & gold headed into the fifth frame with a one-run lead.
Fifth Inning
Freshman Bradyn Barnes stepped up to the mound for the first time and delivered a three-pitch strikeout to begin the frame. After being walked, the second batter stole second. Another walk left runners on first and second, both eventually stealing second and third. The next batter was intentionally walked, leaving the bases loaded. After another walk tied the game, Ryan Schiefer took the mound and delivered the strikeout needed.
Harris Williams got on base via walk and subsequently stole second. Nu'u Contrades took the next walk. A flyout and two strikeouts ended the inning.
Sixth Inning
Schiefer remained on the bump and went down the order keeping any Wildcats off the bag in the sixth frame. Third baseman Nu'u Contrades made a sweet snag down the third base line to make it a clean inning.
Pinch hitter Brandon Compton singled with two outs in the sixth inning by sneaking a hit past the second baseman, then Ondina found the gap to put runners on first and second. Then on a 3-2 count, Williams belted a base hit to left field to score Compton putting ASU ahead 5-4. But with runners on second and third, Contrades was unable to extend the lead.
Seventh Inning
The seventh inning saw two pitching changes, with Wyatt Halvorson entering with a runner on first and second and no outs. A double-play left a runner on third. Kansas State earned a walk and a base hit to tie the game at five with runners on first and second again. Both runners stole bases and another walk led to a fourth pitching change. Matt Cornelius came in to attempt one out with the bases loaded. He delivered, stranding three runners and closing the frame 5-5.
Ryan Campos was hit by pitch on a full count. A single to the right side by Kevin Karstetter got runners on first and second, both of which stole bases on a wild pitch. Isaiah Jackson then singled through the right side for his 12th and 13th RBI of the young season. With two outs, pinch-hitter Brandon Compton was walked and forced a pitching change by the Wildcats. A strikeout left the Sun Devils up 7-5.
Eighth Inning:
Cornelius took care of business in the eighth and stranded a lone runner on second base keeping the Sun Devil lead at two entering the bottom half of the frame.
Williams worked a leadoff walk to begin the frame, then a wild pitch advanced him to second base with no outs. Then a deep flyball by Contrades advanced Williams to third base with an one out. Campos hit a hard hit chopper to the first baseman, but Williams was too quick with his speed and beat the tag to give the Sun Devils an 8-5 lead. Katstetter provided more insurance with a blooper base hit over the second baseman, scoring Campos to give ASU a 4-run cushion going into the ninth frame.
Ninth Inning
A walk and a hit preceded a fly out to center field. Another walk loaded the bases. Left fielder Ryan Campos then sprinted to make a play on a fly ball, letting up one run. Another walk filled the bases again. Coming in with a batter already on a 2-0 count, Matt Tieding saved the day with a strikeout.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a four-game tilt against Ohio State beginning on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 PM MST. Arizona State will be on Pac-12 Network with the broadcast available at the following link. Tickets are on sale now.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
On the team's versatility to be able to put up big numbers and then win games like tonight:
"We were just talking a minute ago about the offense's dynamic that we can beat you in more ways than one. We don't have to rely on home runs to beat you. We can steal bases, we can play hit and run, go the other way, execute a great contact play that can't be rolled over and Harris (Williams) scores on that. Good offenses are dynamic and have more ways to beat you than one, and that's what we're striving to do. Obviously, it's nice and fun when you just sit back and hit the long ball, but there's going to be times where you have to manufacture and execute and do things to score runs and we were able to do that a little bit tonight."
Senior pitcher Matt Tieding
On how he calms the pressure when coming into the closing role with bases loaded:
"I don't really know if you do. That's why you play baseball, right? It's moments like that. It wasn't about calming the pressure for me at all. It was about embracing it, just having fun in it. Taking that whole moment in was more of the mentality rather than just trying to calm down."
Sophomore center fielder Isaiah Jackson
On how much trust they have in batters 1-9 being able to make it happen:
"I think it goes deeper than nine. We have 20 guys that are able to come in and pinch hit, and you saw that today. We were talking about how it's a huge team win. We had eight pitchers come in. We had a bunch of defensive change, guys coming in and out of the game. (Brandon) Compton having to pinch hit, good at-bat. It was just a lot of team stuff that went on that led to that win."
Senior shortstop Steven Ondina
On how much pride he takes in his defensive ability:
"I would say it's what I've been known for. I always try to take pride in it because nobody does and it's something that I've loved since I'm little. Playing shortstop and making all those great plays for a team because at the end it does matter. I take pride in working on it every day."
Junior pitcher Ryan Schiefer
On how Assistant Coach Anthony Gilich made the transition to ASU easy for him:
"Gilly made it really, really easy for me. Guided me in the right direction with the person I am, which is my favorite part about him teaching me was that he could teach me to be a better person, not just a better player. Everything within that translates to school, outside of that as a person, and then playing baseball, too."
Junior pitcher Matt Cornelius
On what it's like to have Steven Ondina behind you as a pitcher:
"It's like speechless. I mean, you throw a pitch, look back, and he's in a different spot from where he was. It's ridiculous. I love the guy and he's an amazing baseball player."