ARLINGTON – Sun Devil Baseball struck out 18 batters but was unable to find any mojo offensively in a 2-0 loss in the opening game of the 2025 Big 12 Tournament in Arlington, Texas.
The 18 strikeouts were the most for Arizona State (35-22) in a regulation game since it had 18 at Oklahoma State in 2020. It was tied for the second-most in a regulation game since the 1998 season.
ASU stranded 14 BYU baserunners and held the Cougars to 2-for-19 hitting (.105) with runners on base to keep the the Sun Devils within striking distance throughout. Jonah Giblin recorded seven of his eight outs via strikeout in 2.2 scoreless innings with one walk in relief. Ben Jacobs had six strikeouts in his start and Cole Carlon added four.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils managed just six hits and were 1-for-12 (.083) with runners on base. Kyle Walker and Matt King each had two hits.
The Sun Devils will now await their postseason fate with the NCAA Tournament selection show scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. AZT.
NOTABLES
First Inning
Jacobs worked around a pair of walks to strand both with his first strikeout of the game. The Sun Devils went down in order despite Walker putting a charge in one to the warning track in center on the first pitch of the game.
Second Inning
A walk and balk preceded BYU's first hit of the game, a one-out RBI double to take a 1-0 lead but Jacobs was able to strand the runner in scoring position to limit the damage. Tobias and Vu squared up a pair of balls right at defenders before Compton broke through for a two-out single but a pop-up ended the frame.
Third Inning
Jacobs stranded a one-out triple at third with a popup to himself and a strikeout. Walker notched a two-out single but a check swing groundout on a stolen base attempt kept the Devils off the board.
Fourth Inning
Jacobs struck out the side in the fourth for his first 1-2-3 inning. King led off with a single but a pop up and double play led to the minimum coming to the plate.
Fifth Inning
A one-out HBP and single would lead to a call to the pen in favor of Carlon but a wild pitch on the first toss moved both runners into scoring position and a walk loaded the bases and a two-out walk brought in BYU's second run but a strikeout stranded the bases loaded. BYU went to the pen and ASU went down in order, trailing 2-0.
Sixth Inning
Carlon walked the bases loaded with two outs but got a lineout to left to keep it a two-run deficit. ASU went down in order for the second straight frame.
Seventh Inning
Fitzpatrick struck out the one batter he faced and Giblin worked around a one-out double and two-out walk to keep BYU from adding to its lead. King led off with a single but ASU was unable to capitalize, leaving it 2-0.
Eighth Inning
Giblin struck out the side around a one-out walk. Jackson gave one a ride to the warning track for a loud out and Ryan and Walker notched two-out singles but a flyout ended the threat.
Ninth Inning
Giblin added two more strikeouts to bring ASU's tally to 18. King reached on a leadoff HBP and Tobias ripped one down the first base line that was caught at the warning track in front of the foul pole just shy of a game-tying home run and the Sun Devils were unable to draw even.
The 18 strikeouts were the most for Arizona State (35-22) in a regulation game since it had 18 at Oklahoma State in 2020. It was tied for the second-most in a regulation game since the 1998 season.
ASU stranded 14 BYU baserunners and held the Cougars to 2-for-19 hitting (.105) with runners on base to keep the the Sun Devils within striking distance throughout. Jonah Giblin recorded seven of his eight outs via strikeout in 2.2 scoreless innings with one walk in relief. Ben Jacobs had six strikeouts in his start and Cole Carlon added four.
Unfortunately, the Sun Devils managed just six hits and were 1-for-12 (.083) with runners on base. Kyle Walker and Matt King each had two hits.
The Sun Devils will now await their postseason fate with the NCAA Tournament selection show scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. AZT.
NOTABLES
- Matt King recorded his team-leading 28th multi-hit game of the year.
- Kien Vu had his on-base streak ended at 34 games.
- ASU struck out double digit batters for the 36th time in 57 games this year.
- Arizona State's 18 strikeouts were the most since it had 20 in a 16-inning game at Washington in 2021.
- The 18 strikeouts were a Big 12 Tournament single game record.
First Inning
Jacobs worked around a pair of walks to strand both with his first strikeout of the game. The Sun Devils went down in order despite Walker putting a charge in one to the warning track in center on the first pitch of the game.
Second Inning
A walk and balk preceded BYU's first hit of the game, a one-out RBI double to take a 1-0 lead but Jacobs was able to strand the runner in scoring position to limit the damage. Tobias and Vu squared up a pair of balls right at defenders before Compton broke through for a two-out single but a pop-up ended the frame.
Third Inning
Jacobs stranded a one-out triple at third with a popup to himself and a strikeout. Walker notched a two-out single but a check swing groundout on a stolen base attempt kept the Devils off the board.
Fourth Inning
Jacobs struck out the side in the fourth for his first 1-2-3 inning. King led off with a single but a pop up and double play led to the minimum coming to the plate.
Fifth Inning
A one-out HBP and single would lead to a call to the pen in favor of Carlon but a wild pitch on the first toss moved both runners into scoring position and a walk loaded the bases and a two-out walk brought in BYU's second run but a strikeout stranded the bases loaded. BYU went to the pen and ASU went down in order, trailing 2-0.
Sixth Inning
Carlon walked the bases loaded with two outs but got a lineout to left to keep it a two-run deficit. ASU went down in order for the second straight frame.
Seventh Inning
Fitzpatrick struck out the one batter he faced and Giblin worked around a one-out double and two-out walk to keep BYU from adding to its lead. King led off with a single but ASU was unable to capitalize, leaving it 2-0.
Eighth Inning
Giblin struck out the side around a one-out walk. Jackson gave one a ride to the warning track for a loud out and Ryan and Walker notched two-out singles but a flyout ended the threat.
Ninth Inning
Giblin added two more strikeouts to bring ASU's tally to 18. King reached on a leadoff HBP and Tobias ripped one down the first base line that was caught at the warning track in front of the foul pole just shy of a game-tying home run and the Sun Devils were unable to draw even.