PHOENIX – It was a historic night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Saturday evening as Sun Devil Baseball recorded a school-record eight home runs to sweep its Big 12 series against BYU, 16-6, in eight innings.
In a second inning for the ages, the Sun Devils homered a school record six times after recording two in the first inning. The 10-run frame saw something that might very likely never be seen again as Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs - ASU's eight- and nine-hole hitters - went back-to-back jacks TWICE in the same inning.
Matt King also added two home runs and Jacob Tobias and Kien Vu each had one to cap off the monumental day at the plate. ASU had 13 hits in the game and 11 went for extra bases with eight homers, two doubles and a triple.
The previous Sun Devil school record for homers in a game came when ASU logged seven against rival Arizona back in 2000.
Jackson recorded five RBIs - all coming in the 41-minute second inning - with his one-out solo shot followed by a two-out grand slam later in the frame. King added four more to his 12-RBI week over four games. Vu finished a triple short of the cycle in his three hit day.
The Sun Devil pitchers struck out 12 BYU batters to bring their weekend total to 42 strikeouts - the second time this season the staff recorded 40+ strikeouts.
ASU stays at home for two non-conference midweek tilts against Long Beach State on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Texas for a three-game Big 12 set at Baylor beginning Friday.
TURNING POINT
For the second straight day, the Sun Devils posted a multi-homer first inning. Matt King notched a two-run shot and Kien Vu followed two batters later with his second first inning homer of the weekend to give ASU an early 3-0 lead and a preview of what was to come in the second inning.
BIG MOMENT
In one of the most prolific frames in Sun Devil Baseball history, ASU uncorked six home runs in the second inning to bring their total to eight for the game and set a new school record in the process. The magnificent frame saw the Sun Devils score 10 runs while also featuring a sight that perhaps no one has witnessed before and might never happen again as two different players went back-to-back twice in the same frame. Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs knocked a pair of one-out solo shots to start the barrage before coming back around in the order later in the inning. Jackson launched a 3-2 missile onto the back field for a grand slam before Briggs followed with a no-doubter of his own for his second of the inning - notable as he had just two in his young CAREER entering the game. What made the feat all the more incredible was the fact that Jackson and Briggs were the eight- and nine-hole hitters in the ASU lineup.
FINAL STRAW
Things weren't nearly as exciting for the ASU offense after that second inning as BYU came right back with a four-run third and made things interesting in the sixth, climbing within 14-6 and having a pair of runners in scoring position to go one hit away from possibly making things interesting again. The Sun Devils took care of business though, adding another run in the seventh and closing the game out early on Nu'u Contrades' "walk-off" RBI triple to force the run rule into effect and complete the sweep.
NOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening Statement
"I can't remember a better inning than that. That was pretty impressive all the way through. Our guys came and finished the job today, which I was excited about. They swung the bats as good as they have all year long today, and that was nice to see."
On the team's second inning outburst
"I mean, I was just trying to manage the game. They just kept hitting them out of the ballpark. There wasn't much to manage, so just let them go and keep getting pitches to hit and stay on them and keep the foot on the gas. I don't ever remember six home runs in one inning. I don't think I've ever been a part of something like that with many guys going back to back in the same inning. That was pretty impressive."
On what it means to get a series sweep at the end of April
"We're not going to complain about it. We just got to keep piling up wins and for us it's taking one at a time. The emphasis for our guys has been showing up ready to play every day and come with your A game, even though we took the first two, job's not finished. We've got to come and win today and all these wins are big. So as long as we can continue to take that approach and that mindset and just keep winning games down the stretch here and more importantly, playing to our abilities was obviously an offensive outburst today, but it's nice to start seeing the bats heat up a little bit and get to where we think they're capable of. Not that I expect eight home runs a night, but starting to swing the bats the way that contact points are getting to where they're supposed, catching the ball out front a little bit more, swinging at good pitches, not chasing below the zone as much today in the last few days. As long as we can continue to work through those things and stay sharp on them, I like our chances."
Outfielder Kien Vu
On how he and Isaiah have gotten close to playoffs the last few years and how important it is for them to focus in on the last stretch of games
"My goal since I got here was to make a run at the postseason. I mean, he [Isaiah] said it best, earlier on in the season we were kind of playing defensive, to not lose, and so, if we stay on the attack and keep it rolling, I think we are a pretty dangerous late postseason team. That's the momentum we're trying to carry with us. I'm not too concerned with my time here, I guess I just want to win, and so I'm not looking that far into the future. I just want to win and make a run and I want to go to Omaha. I mean that's the dream."
On how he is feeling after recovering from injury
"It feels good, still gets a little sore after a long game like this, but, I don't know once the game gets going, adrenaline kind of takes over and I feel like I don't really feel it at all. So, yeah, I mean it feels good, I'm ready to go."
Outfielder Isaiah Jackson
On his reaction to the second inning where he and Brody Briggs homered back-to-back twice
"I mean, I don't think that's ever been done in baseball, you know, like 8 and 9 hole going back to back in the same inning. That was crazy. Just an insanely fun inning. It's fun to be a part of that energy and seeing the boys get barrels and homers, that's just so fun."
On what this weekend does for them mentally going into the final month of the season
"I think it gives us the confidence going into the next games to go out whoever's across the field from us. I think when we were struggling it was kind of us playing not to lose instead of going out to just win a game and win every inning. So I think playing all 9, as hard as we can, like it's the last inning, is what we're doing well."
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Easton Barrett got the start to open things up. The Sun Devils defense pulled off a 4-6-3 double play. BYU attempted to steal second but was caught by Brody Briggs to finish the top of the inning.
Kyle Walker was able to get on base on a hit by the pitch, he stole second to set up a two run blast from Matt King as the Sun Devils got the scoring started. Kien Vu sent a solo homer to right center to add to the lead. The Sun Devils headed into the second inning with a 3-0 lead.
Second Inning
Barrett returned to the mound to strike out one before issuing a walk and a double to put runners in scoring position. The final out of the inning came by way of a fly out to right field that stranded the two runners on base.
Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs continued the home run hitting adding back-to-back one out solo shots over the fence in right field. Landon Hairston reached second base on a throwing error to first, advanced to third on a wild-pitch as Matt King then cranked a two-run homer to center field. Jacob Tobias immediately followed up with a solo home run of his own. The Sun Devils singled and walked twice on two outs to load the bases when Isaiah Jackson returned to the plate to deliver a grand-slam rocket to right. In a record breaking at-bat, Brody Briggs connected with another home run to right for a program high six in a single inning. Additionally, the eight total home runs was the most in a single outing. The fiery Sun Devil bats stretched the lead to 13-0 through two innings.
Third Inning
Barrett was back on the mound for the Sun Devils. The Cougars got their offense going with a solo home run to begin the inning. With runners on first and second, Jaden Alba took over pitching duties. The Cougars then hit a three run homer to close the gap on the Sun Devil's lead. Alba was able to get out of the inning with two strikeouts heading into the bottom of the inning.
With runners at first and third, ASU had an opportunity to respond to BYU's scoring. But an out at second on a fielder's choice ended the inning with the score still in ASU's favor, 13-4.
Fourth Inning
Alba saw more action on the mound and made quick work of the batters, going three-up, and three-down, with two strikeouts.
The Sun Devils were unable to add to their lead after grounding out a double play and a scoreless inning held the score at 13-4.
Fifth Inning
Alba came back onto the mound for ASU. He was able to force a groundout and a strikeout before BYU was able to tack on a run off an RBI single. Alba responded by striking out the next batter.
Matt King was caught stealing second, but it allowed Kyle Walker to advance to home plate to bring in a run as the Sun Devils headed into the sixth inning with a 14-5 lead.
Sixth Inning
Josh Butler was brought on in the top of the sixth to replace Alba after a strong 2 innings. The Cougars amassed two doubles in the inning that brought in one runner. A forceout at second separated the hits and two outs to deep outfield bookended the top of sixth.
Vu doubled to lead off the inning, earning his third hit of the game, but were kept from driving runners in. The score stayed in ASU's favor at 14-6.
Seventh Inning
Butler returned to the mound for the Sun Devils. He put on a clinic by striking out three straight down the order heading into the bottom of the inning.
Following a double from Landon Hairston, he was able to come home off a dropped fly that was hit by Matt King to add a run for ASU with a commanding 15-6 lead heading into the eighth inning.
Eighth Inning
Lucas Kelly took over in the top of the eighth for Bulter. He sliced through the opposing bats, dealing two fly outs and striked out the side in order.
Vu drew a four-pitch walk to open the bottom half of the inning, and a misread ball that rolled to the left field wall on a Contrades triple brought him home, securing a 16–6 run-rule win to sweep the series.
In a second inning for the ages, the Sun Devils homered a school record six times after recording two in the first inning. The 10-run frame saw something that might very likely never be seen again as Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs - ASU's eight- and nine-hole hitters - went back-to-back jacks TWICE in the same inning.
Matt King also added two home runs and Jacob Tobias and Kien Vu each had one to cap off the monumental day at the plate. ASU had 13 hits in the game and 11 went for extra bases with eight homers, two doubles and a triple.
The previous Sun Devil school record for homers in a game came when ASU logged seven against rival Arizona back in 2000.
Jackson recorded five RBIs - all coming in the 41-minute second inning - with his one-out solo shot followed by a two-out grand slam later in the frame. King added four more to his 12-RBI week over four games. Vu finished a triple short of the cycle in his three hit day.
The Sun Devil pitchers struck out 12 BYU batters to bring their weekend total to 42 strikeouts - the second time this season the staff recorded 40+ strikeouts.
ASU stays at home for two non-conference midweek tilts against Long Beach State on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Texas for a three-game Big 12 set at Baylor beginning Friday.
TURNING POINT
For the second straight day, the Sun Devils posted a multi-homer first inning. Matt King notched a two-run shot and Kien Vu followed two batters later with his second first inning homer of the weekend to give ASU an early 3-0 lead and a preview of what was to come in the second inning.
BIG MOMENT
In one of the most prolific frames in Sun Devil Baseball history, ASU uncorked six home runs in the second inning to bring their total to eight for the game and set a new school record in the process. The magnificent frame saw the Sun Devils score 10 runs while also featuring a sight that perhaps no one has witnessed before and might never happen again as two different players went back-to-back twice in the same frame. Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs knocked a pair of one-out solo shots to start the barrage before coming back around in the order later in the inning. Jackson launched a 3-2 missile onto the back field for a grand slam before Briggs followed with a no-doubter of his own for his second of the inning - notable as he had just two in his young CAREER entering the game. What made the feat all the more incredible was the fact that Jackson and Briggs were the eight- and nine-hole hitters in the ASU lineup.
FINAL STRAW
Things weren't nearly as exciting for the ASU offense after that second inning as BYU came right back with a four-run third and made things interesting in the sixth, climbing within 14-6 and having a pair of runners in scoring position to go one hit away from possibly making things interesting again. The Sun Devils took care of business though, adding another run in the seventh and closing the game out early on Nu'u Contrades' "walk-off" RBI triple to force the run rule into effect and complete the sweep.
NOTABLES
- The Sun Devils set a school record with eight home runs in the contest, surpassing its previous record of seven against Arizona on March 4, 2000. ASU got that in the first two innings of the game alone as eight of the team's first 10 hits all left the ballpark.
- The six homers in the second inning came one shy of matching the NCAA Division I record of seven in one frame, which has been achieved twice in history.
- The eight homers in a game were tied for the fourth-most by a D1 team this season.
- Isaiah Jackson and Brody Brigs matched the school record with two home runs in a single inning, as BOTH did it in the second inning tonight.
- ASU's 15 home runs in the series (8 today, 6 Friday and 1 Thursday) were a school record for a three-game series. ASU six homers Friday were tied for second-most in a game in school history prior to Saturday's onslaught.
- Saturday's contest marked the 14th time this season ASU had five or fewer strikeouts on offense - notable as it had just 10 such games total a season ago.
- After not having a game with back-to-back homers all season, ASU did it for the second day in a row today and THREE times in a single inning today. Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs (x2) AND Matt King and Jacob Tobias all did it in the second inning after Tobias and Nu'u Contrades did it in the first yesterday.
- In the second, ASU scored 10 runs in an inning for the first time since doing so against Santa Clara on April 11, 2022 (also 10).
- Walker extended his on-base streak to 33 games with his HBP on the first pitch of the game.
- Kien Vu extended his on-base streak to 22 games with his first inning homer.
- The contest marked the first time this season that BYU lost in a run-rule game.
- Big innings have been the theme of ASU's season as the team has now scored in 160 halves of an inning on the year and have plated two or more runs in 101 of those.
- The Sun Devils have put up 55 innings this season where the team has scored at least three runs, 24 with four or more and 15 with 5 or more.
- The Sun Devils have outscored opponents 63-27 in the first innings of games this year and are 20-6 when scoring in the first.
- The game marked the 25th time this season that ASU has reached double digit hits in a game.
- The contest marked the 28th time the team has struck out double digit opponents in a game. The series marked the second time this season ASU has recorded 40+ strikeouts in a three-game series after achieving 45 against Arizona earlier this year.
- Arizona State had two doubles in the contest, the 30th game out of 44 with multiple doubles in a game. ASU entered the weekend second in the nation with 103 doubles this season, now at 109 with six this weekend.
- Landon Hairston now has 10 extra-base hits in his last 12 games (three homers, six doubles, one triple) - notable as he had just one (a double) in his first 26 games as a Sun Devil.
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening Statement
"I can't remember a better inning than that. That was pretty impressive all the way through. Our guys came and finished the job today, which I was excited about. They swung the bats as good as they have all year long today, and that was nice to see."
On the team's second inning outburst
"I mean, I was just trying to manage the game. They just kept hitting them out of the ballpark. There wasn't much to manage, so just let them go and keep getting pitches to hit and stay on them and keep the foot on the gas. I don't ever remember six home runs in one inning. I don't think I've ever been a part of something like that with many guys going back to back in the same inning. That was pretty impressive."
On what it means to get a series sweep at the end of April
"We're not going to complain about it. We just got to keep piling up wins and for us it's taking one at a time. The emphasis for our guys has been showing up ready to play every day and come with your A game, even though we took the first two, job's not finished. We've got to come and win today and all these wins are big. So as long as we can continue to take that approach and that mindset and just keep winning games down the stretch here and more importantly, playing to our abilities was obviously an offensive outburst today, but it's nice to start seeing the bats heat up a little bit and get to where we think they're capable of. Not that I expect eight home runs a night, but starting to swing the bats the way that contact points are getting to where they're supposed, catching the ball out front a little bit more, swinging at good pitches, not chasing below the zone as much today in the last few days. As long as we can continue to work through those things and stay sharp on them, I like our chances."
Outfielder Kien Vu
On how he and Isaiah have gotten close to playoffs the last few years and how important it is for them to focus in on the last stretch of games
"My goal since I got here was to make a run at the postseason. I mean, he [Isaiah] said it best, earlier on in the season we were kind of playing defensive, to not lose, and so, if we stay on the attack and keep it rolling, I think we are a pretty dangerous late postseason team. That's the momentum we're trying to carry with us. I'm not too concerned with my time here, I guess I just want to win, and so I'm not looking that far into the future. I just want to win and make a run and I want to go to Omaha. I mean that's the dream."
On how he is feeling after recovering from injury
"It feels good, still gets a little sore after a long game like this, but, I don't know once the game gets going, adrenaline kind of takes over and I feel like I don't really feel it at all. So, yeah, I mean it feels good, I'm ready to go."
Outfielder Isaiah Jackson
On his reaction to the second inning where he and Brody Briggs homered back-to-back twice
"I mean, I don't think that's ever been done in baseball, you know, like 8 and 9 hole going back to back in the same inning. That was crazy. Just an insanely fun inning. It's fun to be a part of that energy and seeing the boys get barrels and homers, that's just so fun."
On what this weekend does for them mentally going into the final month of the season
"I think it gives us the confidence going into the next games to go out whoever's across the field from us. I think when we were struggling it was kind of us playing not to lose instead of going out to just win a game and win every inning. So I think playing all 9, as hard as we can, like it's the last inning, is what we're doing well."
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Easton Barrett got the start to open things up. The Sun Devils defense pulled off a 4-6-3 double play. BYU attempted to steal second but was caught by Brody Briggs to finish the top of the inning.
Kyle Walker was able to get on base on a hit by the pitch, he stole second to set up a two run blast from Matt King as the Sun Devils got the scoring started. Kien Vu sent a solo homer to right center to add to the lead. The Sun Devils headed into the second inning with a 3-0 lead.
Second Inning
Barrett returned to the mound to strike out one before issuing a walk and a double to put runners in scoring position. The final out of the inning came by way of a fly out to right field that stranded the two runners on base.
Isaiah Jackson and Brody Briggs continued the home run hitting adding back-to-back one out solo shots over the fence in right field. Landon Hairston reached second base on a throwing error to first, advanced to third on a wild-pitch as Matt King then cranked a two-run homer to center field. Jacob Tobias immediately followed up with a solo home run of his own. The Sun Devils singled and walked twice on two outs to load the bases when Isaiah Jackson returned to the plate to deliver a grand-slam rocket to right. In a record breaking at-bat, Brody Briggs connected with another home run to right for a program high six in a single inning. Additionally, the eight total home runs was the most in a single outing. The fiery Sun Devil bats stretched the lead to 13-0 through two innings.
Third Inning
Barrett was back on the mound for the Sun Devils. The Cougars got their offense going with a solo home run to begin the inning. With runners on first and second, Jaden Alba took over pitching duties. The Cougars then hit a three run homer to close the gap on the Sun Devil's lead. Alba was able to get out of the inning with two strikeouts heading into the bottom of the inning.
With runners at first and third, ASU had an opportunity to respond to BYU's scoring. But an out at second on a fielder's choice ended the inning with the score still in ASU's favor, 13-4.
Fourth Inning
Alba saw more action on the mound and made quick work of the batters, going three-up, and three-down, with two strikeouts.
The Sun Devils were unable to add to their lead after grounding out a double play and a scoreless inning held the score at 13-4.
Fifth Inning
Alba came back onto the mound for ASU. He was able to force a groundout and a strikeout before BYU was able to tack on a run off an RBI single. Alba responded by striking out the next batter.
Matt King was caught stealing second, but it allowed Kyle Walker to advance to home plate to bring in a run as the Sun Devils headed into the sixth inning with a 14-5 lead.
Sixth Inning
Josh Butler was brought on in the top of the sixth to replace Alba after a strong 2 innings. The Cougars amassed two doubles in the inning that brought in one runner. A forceout at second separated the hits and two outs to deep outfield bookended the top of sixth.
Vu doubled to lead off the inning, earning his third hit of the game, but were kept from driving runners in. The score stayed in ASU's favor at 14-6.
Seventh Inning
Butler returned to the mound for the Sun Devils. He put on a clinic by striking out three straight down the order heading into the bottom of the inning.
Following a double from Landon Hairston, he was able to come home off a dropped fly that was hit by Matt King to add a run for ASU with a commanding 15-6 lead heading into the eighth inning.
Eighth Inning
Lucas Kelly took over in the top of the eighth for Bulter. He sliced through the opposing bats, dealing two fly outs and striked out the side in order.
Vu drew a four-pitch walk to open the bottom half of the inning, and a misread ball that rolled to the left field wall on a Contrades triple brought him home, securing a 16–6 run-rule win to sweep the series.