PHOENIX – Sun Devil Baseball posted its most complete game of the season on Tuesday, recording its second consecutive midweek shutout in a convincing 7-0 victory over UNLV at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Kien Vu homered twice with three RBIs and Brandon Compton added another homer as eight Sun Devil starters recorded a hit.
But the story of the game was the pitching staff, which posted ASU's first back-to-back midweek shutouts since the 1996 season. Max Arlich earned his first start, stranding the bases loaded in the second inning with his second strikeout. Jonah Giblin earned the win with 3.0 innings of scoreless work with just one hit allowed and four strikeouts.
Cole Carlon, Lucas Kelly and Derek Schaefer kept things from getting interesting, combining to post 4.0 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and just two hits.
The Sun Devils (9-4) will look to try and build some momentum heading into the conference slate this weekend, wrapping up its non-conference series slate with a three-game set against Gonzaga beginning on Friday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. AZT.
TURNING POINT
Freshman Max Arlich faced the first taste of adversity in his young career coming in the second inning. A UNLV base knock and a pair of walks loaded up the bases with two outs to give them an early threat against the 19 year-old. The southpaw then painted the bottom of the zone in a 3-2 count to deliver a crucial strikeout, successfully escaping the jam in a potential game changing situation to end the inning unscathed.
BIG MOMENT
The bottom of the fifth inning was a key frame in the Sun Devils victory. UNLV pitcher Will Marquart had only surrendered two home runs in the entirety of his 58 career collegiate games. That was until Kien Vu and Brandon Compton matched that total as the two both launched solo home runs to widen the gap and give ASU a comfortable lead that they wouldn't look back on.
FINAL STRAW
With a 5-0 lead, ASU headed into the bottom of the eighth inning looking for a few more insurance runs to put the game away. After the first batter grounded out, Landon Hairston singled to left field, and Brody Briggs followed him with a single of his own to right field. A Kyle Walker walk loaded up the bases for Kien Vu, who drove in Hairston on a sacrifice fly. Matt King then singled, allowing Briggs to score, and increasing the Devils' lead to 7-0.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Batting out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season, Kien Vu went 3-4 with 3 RBIs to propel the Sun Devils to victory. After doubling and then scoring in the first inning, Vu hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats, marking his third career multi-home run game. He showed off his power, and his two home runs traveled a combined 795 feet. In his fifth and final at-bat, Vu flew out to center field, driving in his third run of the game and finishing off his strong night in the batter's box.
NOTABLES
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening statement
"Obviously it's nice to have one like that where we weren't sweating bullets down to the last pitch. But it just kind of attributes to the depth that we have hopefully this year and guys that are bouncing back and being able to pitch a couple times a week is nice as well. There's some other guys that we haven't been able to get on the mound as much as we want, in addition to the guys that have pitched too, so we're kind of trying to figure out opportunities for those guys as well as put them in situations where they're going to have success as well. But it is nice to have some options."
On the pitching staff teaming up for a shutout
"Step in the right direction. We still walked a few guys today, but all in all they attacked the zone. Lucas Kelly found a little bit of a slider today which was a big, big thing for him being able to land that. (Cole) Carlon threw the ball very well again. Jonah Giblin does what Jonah does. He just comes in, calms the waters, puts up zeros and gives our offense a chance to get going. That was great. And then Derek Schafer, the way he's been throwing the ball lately - I'm kind of torn on whether or not to keep him at that back end or start him because he can do either or, but he's been very impressive the past few outings."
On Max Arlich's debut
"Great to see Max, he's such a great kid. Works extremely hard, just kind of been eager and waiting for his opportunity. I thought it was the right time to start him and give him a shot to start. I figured that would be better than bringing him out of the pen and having him too amped up, at least to get a chance to foresee the whole day and hopefully calm himself down a little bit. The ball came out outstanding in the first inning, second inning, he got into a little bit of trouble but was able to make some big pitches when he had to, and we got him out of there with some success. Didn't want to go much more than 45, maybe 50 pitches on him. That was probably enough for his first time out. The smile on his face was priceless, so I was really excited for him."
On Kien Vu's performance
"He's a dynamic player and obviously had a great year last year, but he's not satisfied. He wants to keep getting better and do more. (He) hasn't gotten off to the hot start that he's wanted to, but today was a great step in the right direction for him. Put him up in the leadoff spot today and he was able to respond very well. I'm excited for him."
Outfielder Kien Vu
On hitting in the leadoff spot
"I like it. I don't really have a preference wherever they throw me in. My approach stays similar. I do like the leadoff spot because you do get a lot of heaters early in the count. So it's a good spot. But wherever [Bloomquist] puts me in I'm happy with."
On playing tough teams
"We have played some tough competition, but I know we have a lot more in the tank as well. I want to say these last few weekends haven't really gone the way I know we're capable of playing, and so looking forward to the next few weeks and the rest of the season, it's kind of learning from what these tougher teams have brought to the table, and then knowing that we do have more in the tank. And it feels good, this win, this one feels good, but it's just a small step in the right direction and that's where we're headed."
Starting Pitcher Max Arlich
On his first career start
"It felt good. The first few weeks, I didn't get to pitch, so I was just staying ready and cheering on my guys and when it's my time, I was ready to go, and I just wanted to put zeros up and hopefully get a win."
On escaping a bases loaded jam in the second inning
"I was just kind of in a flow state and just thinking, attack the heart of the plate. That's really all I was going through my mind there."
Catcher Brody Briggs
On momentum on both sides of the ball
"I'm on both sides of it, so it's good to be out there with these guys and get a zero, and you feel that momentum coming back in, and you can feel the offense. Like, alright, now we go. So yeah, it's huge for sure. Pitchers throwing up zeros like that. They got to keep that going."
On the whole team performance
"This is the most complete performance by far, I think. But we haven't scratched the surface yet. We're a really, really good team, and we're just starting."
Pitcher Jonah Giblin
On his pitch arsenal
"The slider felt really good. Heater felt good too. I didn't throw the splitter much, but it was because the slider was doing what it's supposed to do, and I'm finally throwing it the way I want to. But the biggest part is just trusting the guys behind me, and go throw it at the heart of the plate. Because when you have that, it's just confidence."
On the pitching staff's night
"It's great. It builds confidence going into the weekend. Especially having a shutout, all those guys that threw tonight, we're gonna be ready to go again Friday, Saturday, early in the weekend, and just build on it."
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Max Arlich took the mound for the Sun Devils in his first career start, picking up an easy ground out on the first pitch he threw. He retired the next batter on a fly out to left, before giving up a double to left center. Arlich then induced a ground ball to first for the third out, confirmed after replay review.
Kien Vu led off for ASU, doubling down the right field line. Matt King fouled out to the catcher, and Vu advanced to third on an error. Brandon Compton walked, and Jacob Tobias flew out to the warning track in right center to drive in Vu, giving the Devils an early 1-0 lead. Isaiah Jackson popped out to first base to end the inning.
Second Inning
Arlich returned to the mound for his second inning of work, giving up a leadoff single to right field, and followed it up with a four-pitch walk. He got an out on a bunt to the catcher, and then struck the next batter out. Arlich then issued a two-out walk, loading the bases. He was able to get out of the jam with his second strikeout of the evening.
Nu'u Contrades singled into left to lead off. Landon Hairston struck out, and Brody Briggs was hit by a pitch to get on first. Beckett Zavorek grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Third Inning
Jonah Giblin entered in relief of Arlich and worked a scoreless frame despite some traffic on the bases.
After a few foul balls, Kien Vu unloaded on a fastball and deposited a 400 foot solo shot to push the lead to 2-0. The Devils had nothing to show after Vu's home run, but held a 2-0 lead after three innings.
Fourth Inning
Giblin pitched another clean inning for the Sun Devils, bookended with strikeouts to keep the lead at 2-0.
The Devils struggled to get anything going in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Hairston laced a single up the middle, but Briggs grounded out to end the frame.
Fifth Inning
Giblin worked his third consecutive scoreless frame, keeping zeroes on the board for UNLV.
Kien Vu once again took liftoff, this time with a 395 foot opposite field bomb. His second home run of the night stretched the Devils lead to 3-0. Brandon Compton later joined in on the fun, smoking a line drive into the ASU bullpen for his third homer of the season to give ASU the 4-0 advantage. Jacob Tobias reached on an infield single and tried to make his way home on an Isaiah Jackson double, but was gunned down at the plate to end the inning.
Sixth Inning
Cole Carlon was the next man out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils, relieving Giblin. He pitched a scoreless top of the sixth, issuing back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
Contrades started off the inning with a walk, then stole second. He advanced to third on a groundout, then came around to score on a wild pitch, tacking on another run to the Devils' lead. Kyle Walked hit a two-out single up the middle, and Vu struck out, ending the inning with ASU up 5-0.
Seventh Inning
Carlon returned for his second inning of action. He ran into a bit of trouble after a single and a walk set up runners on second and third with UNLV aiming for their first run. The southpaw escaped the jam with a massive strikeout that left him and the team fired up headed into the stretch.
Jacob Tobias tried his part in sparking a two-out rally after ripping a double in the gap. A flyout of Isaiah Jackson ended those hopes as the first seven innings concluded.
Eighth Inning
Lucas Kelly took the mound for the Devils in the top of the eighth, pitching a clean inning despite some traffic. He also picked up two strikeouts.
The Devils continued to tack on runs, stringing together two hits and a walk to load the bases. Vu lifted a sac fly to center field, driving in a run, and King singled to left field to score another run, increasing the lead to 7-0. Compton lined out to center to end the inning.
Ninth Inning
Derek Schaefer toed the rubber in the ninth to slam the door on UNLV. He did just that, nailing down the final three outs in just seven pitches to secure the win.
Kien Vu homered twice with three RBIs and Brandon Compton added another homer as eight Sun Devil starters recorded a hit.
But the story of the game was the pitching staff, which posted ASU's first back-to-back midweek shutouts since the 1996 season. Max Arlich earned his first start, stranding the bases loaded in the second inning with his second strikeout. Jonah Giblin earned the win with 3.0 innings of scoreless work with just one hit allowed and four strikeouts.
Cole Carlon, Lucas Kelly and Derek Schaefer kept things from getting interesting, combining to post 4.0 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and just two hits.
The Sun Devils (9-4) will look to try and build some momentum heading into the conference slate this weekend, wrapping up its non-conference series slate with a three-game set against Gonzaga beginning on Friday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. AZT.
TURNING POINT
Freshman Max Arlich faced the first taste of adversity in his young career coming in the second inning. A UNLV base knock and a pair of walks loaded up the bases with two outs to give them an early threat against the 19 year-old. The southpaw then painted the bottom of the zone in a 3-2 count to deliver a crucial strikeout, successfully escaping the jam in a potential game changing situation to end the inning unscathed.
BIG MOMENT
The bottom of the fifth inning was a key frame in the Sun Devils victory. UNLV pitcher Will Marquart had only surrendered two home runs in the entirety of his 58 career collegiate games. That was until Kien Vu and Brandon Compton matched that total as the two both launched solo home runs to widen the gap and give ASU a comfortable lead that they wouldn't look back on.
FINAL STRAW
With a 5-0 lead, ASU headed into the bottom of the eighth inning looking for a few more insurance runs to put the game away. After the first batter grounded out, Landon Hairston singled to left field, and Brody Briggs followed him with a single of his own to right field. A Kyle Walker walk loaded up the bases for Kien Vu, who drove in Hairston on a sacrifice fly. Matt King then singled, allowing Briggs to score, and increasing the Devils' lead to 7-0.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Batting out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season, Kien Vu went 3-4 with 3 RBIs to propel the Sun Devils to victory. After doubling and then scoring in the first inning, Vu hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats, marking his third career multi-home run game. He showed off his power, and his two home runs traveled a combined 795 feet. In his fifth and final at-bat, Vu flew out to center field, driving in his third run of the game and finishing off his strong night in the batter's box.
NOTABLES
- After giving up 7 first inning runs over the first five games of the season (and at least one run in each), the Sun Devils have flipped that trend and now have posted eight consecutive games without allowing a first inning run.
- Kien Vu notched his third career multi-home run game. It was his first game this season doing so, with his last multi-home run effort coming on May 18, 2024 vs UNLV (W, 14-13).
- The Sun Devils recorded a season high 14 hits in the win.
- ASU has struck out double-digit batters in nine of 13 games this year.
- Nu'u Contrades and Isaiah Jackson have reached base safely in all 13 games this season.
- Jackson holds the longest hit streak of the season, recording a hit in the first six games of the season. He also currently holds the longest active hit streak, coming in at five games straight with at least one hit.
- Big innings have been the theme of ASU's season as the team has now scored in 47 halves of an inning on the year and have plated two or more runs in 28 of those.
- The Sun Devils had three doubles in the contest, the 10th game of 13 with multiple doubles in a game.
- UNLV fifth-year senior Will Marquart had been one of the go-to arms for the Rebels this season (2-0 record, , having given up just two home runs in his collegiate career in 58 career games. He gave up two in the fifth inning alone to the Sun Devils tonight.
- UNLV's Alex Overbay entered the game as the lone pitcher on the staff to not give up an earned run this season, with a 2-0 record, one save and 15 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work with just three hits allowed all year. The Sun Devils tagged him for two runs in the eighth inning on three hits.
- It marked the first time the Sun Devils had two midweek shutouts since 2012, when the team beat Utah Valley (9-0) and Cal State Fullerton (1-0) on March 13 and March 27.
- It was the first time the team had back-to-back midweek shutouts since March 26-27, 1996 vs. Portland State (10-0, 12-0).
- It was the first time a team has back-to-back midweek shutouts over two separate teams since Feb. 5 and Feb. 20, 1990 vs. Chapman and Lubbock Christian (4-0, 4-0).
- It was the first time the Sun Devils have shut out UNLV since 2002 10-0 and just the seventh time in program history (spanning 93 games) in a series that dates back to the 1970s.
- In four midweek games this season, the Sun Devils have a 1.80 ERA, holding opponents to a .177 average against with 42 strikeouts in 35.0 innings with a 3-1 record. For perspective, the Sun Devils had a 6.21 ERA in midweeks last season with a .282 average against.
- The Sun Devils posted their eighth game this season without an error and have quietly put up a .985 fielding percentage on the year - a number that will rank in the Top-15 in the country when the updated stats are released on Wednesday. ASU ranked outside the Top-100 in each of the last three seasons in the category.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
Opening statement
"Obviously it's nice to have one like that where we weren't sweating bullets down to the last pitch. But it just kind of attributes to the depth that we have hopefully this year and guys that are bouncing back and being able to pitch a couple times a week is nice as well. There's some other guys that we haven't been able to get on the mound as much as we want, in addition to the guys that have pitched too, so we're kind of trying to figure out opportunities for those guys as well as put them in situations where they're going to have success as well. But it is nice to have some options."
On the pitching staff teaming up for a shutout
"Step in the right direction. We still walked a few guys today, but all in all they attacked the zone. Lucas Kelly found a little bit of a slider today which was a big, big thing for him being able to land that. (Cole) Carlon threw the ball very well again. Jonah Giblin does what Jonah does. He just comes in, calms the waters, puts up zeros and gives our offense a chance to get going. That was great. And then Derek Schafer, the way he's been throwing the ball lately - I'm kind of torn on whether or not to keep him at that back end or start him because he can do either or, but he's been very impressive the past few outings."
On Max Arlich's debut
"Great to see Max, he's such a great kid. Works extremely hard, just kind of been eager and waiting for his opportunity. I thought it was the right time to start him and give him a shot to start. I figured that would be better than bringing him out of the pen and having him too amped up, at least to get a chance to foresee the whole day and hopefully calm himself down a little bit. The ball came out outstanding in the first inning, second inning, he got into a little bit of trouble but was able to make some big pitches when he had to, and we got him out of there with some success. Didn't want to go much more than 45, maybe 50 pitches on him. That was probably enough for his first time out. The smile on his face was priceless, so I was really excited for him."
On Kien Vu's performance
"He's a dynamic player and obviously had a great year last year, but he's not satisfied. He wants to keep getting better and do more. (He) hasn't gotten off to the hot start that he's wanted to, but today was a great step in the right direction for him. Put him up in the leadoff spot today and he was able to respond very well. I'm excited for him."
Outfielder Kien Vu
On hitting in the leadoff spot
"I like it. I don't really have a preference wherever they throw me in. My approach stays similar. I do like the leadoff spot because you do get a lot of heaters early in the count. So it's a good spot. But wherever [Bloomquist] puts me in I'm happy with."
On playing tough teams
"We have played some tough competition, but I know we have a lot more in the tank as well. I want to say these last few weekends haven't really gone the way I know we're capable of playing, and so looking forward to the next few weeks and the rest of the season, it's kind of learning from what these tougher teams have brought to the table, and then knowing that we do have more in the tank. And it feels good, this win, this one feels good, but it's just a small step in the right direction and that's where we're headed."
Starting Pitcher Max Arlich
On his first career start
"It felt good. The first few weeks, I didn't get to pitch, so I was just staying ready and cheering on my guys and when it's my time, I was ready to go, and I just wanted to put zeros up and hopefully get a win."
On escaping a bases loaded jam in the second inning
"I was just kind of in a flow state and just thinking, attack the heart of the plate. That's really all I was going through my mind there."
Catcher Brody Briggs
On momentum on both sides of the ball
"I'm on both sides of it, so it's good to be out there with these guys and get a zero, and you feel that momentum coming back in, and you can feel the offense. Like, alright, now we go. So yeah, it's huge for sure. Pitchers throwing up zeros like that. They got to keep that going."
On the whole team performance
"This is the most complete performance by far, I think. But we haven't scratched the surface yet. We're a really, really good team, and we're just starting."
Pitcher Jonah Giblin
On his pitch arsenal
"The slider felt really good. Heater felt good too. I didn't throw the splitter much, but it was because the slider was doing what it's supposed to do, and I'm finally throwing it the way I want to. But the biggest part is just trusting the guys behind me, and go throw it at the heart of the plate. Because when you have that, it's just confidence."
On the pitching staff's night
"It's great. It builds confidence going into the weekend. Especially having a shutout, all those guys that threw tonight, we're gonna be ready to go again Friday, Saturday, early in the weekend, and just build on it."
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Max Arlich took the mound for the Sun Devils in his first career start, picking up an easy ground out on the first pitch he threw. He retired the next batter on a fly out to left, before giving up a double to left center. Arlich then induced a ground ball to first for the third out, confirmed after replay review.
Kien Vu led off for ASU, doubling down the right field line. Matt King fouled out to the catcher, and Vu advanced to third on an error. Brandon Compton walked, and Jacob Tobias flew out to the warning track in right center to drive in Vu, giving the Devils an early 1-0 lead. Isaiah Jackson popped out to first base to end the inning.
Second Inning
Arlich returned to the mound for his second inning of work, giving up a leadoff single to right field, and followed it up with a four-pitch walk. He got an out on a bunt to the catcher, and then struck the next batter out. Arlich then issued a two-out walk, loading the bases. He was able to get out of the jam with his second strikeout of the evening.
Nu'u Contrades singled into left to lead off. Landon Hairston struck out, and Brody Briggs was hit by a pitch to get on first. Beckett Zavorek grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Third Inning
Jonah Giblin entered in relief of Arlich and worked a scoreless frame despite some traffic on the bases.
After a few foul balls, Kien Vu unloaded on a fastball and deposited a 400 foot solo shot to push the lead to 2-0. The Devils had nothing to show after Vu's home run, but held a 2-0 lead after three innings.
Fourth Inning
Giblin pitched another clean inning for the Sun Devils, bookended with strikeouts to keep the lead at 2-0.
The Devils struggled to get anything going in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Hairston laced a single up the middle, but Briggs grounded out to end the frame.
Fifth Inning
Giblin worked his third consecutive scoreless frame, keeping zeroes on the board for UNLV.
Kien Vu once again took liftoff, this time with a 395 foot opposite field bomb. His second home run of the night stretched the Devils lead to 3-0. Brandon Compton later joined in on the fun, smoking a line drive into the ASU bullpen for his third homer of the season to give ASU the 4-0 advantage. Jacob Tobias reached on an infield single and tried to make his way home on an Isaiah Jackson double, but was gunned down at the plate to end the inning.
Sixth Inning
Cole Carlon was the next man out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils, relieving Giblin. He pitched a scoreless top of the sixth, issuing back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning.
Contrades started off the inning with a walk, then stole second. He advanced to third on a groundout, then came around to score on a wild pitch, tacking on another run to the Devils' lead. Kyle Walked hit a two-out single up the middle, and Vu struck out, ending the inning with ASU up 5-0.
Seventh Inning
Carlon returned for his second inning of action. He ran into a bit of trouble after a single and a walk set up runners on second and third with UNLV aiming for their first run. The southpaw escaped the jam with a massive strikeout that left him and the team fired up headed into the stretch.
Jacob Tobias tried his part in sparking a two-out rally after ripping a double in the gap. A flyout of Isaiah Jackson ended those hopes as the first seven innings concluded.
Eighth Inning
Lucas Kelly took the mound for the Devils in the top of the eighth, pitching a clean inning despite some traffic. He also picked up two strikeouts.
The Devils continued to tack on runs, stringing together two hits and a walk to load the bases. Vu lifted a sac fly to center field, driving in a run, and King singled to left field to score another run, increasing the lead to 7-0. Compton lined out to center to end the inning.
Ninth Inning
Derek Schaefer toed the rubber in the ninth to slam the door on UNLV. He did just that, nailing down the final three outs in just seven pitches to secure the win.