Quotables
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist
On the key to the strong offensive production through four games
“I think getting the right players, and then just continuing to stay to our approach, our offensive plan. And we produced a lot of good hitters here at ASU over the years. This is a ballpark where you come in and you're confident swinging the bats and this team's no different. We went out and recruited, in our minds, good players that would come in and fit our mold and our style that we like to teach. These guys are starting to buy into it and, hopefully, starting to get it, because we're going to need these guys to swing the bats as we continue to go throughout the year, and with the arms that we feel like we have. If we can put these things together, we got a shot.”
On the team producing runs in different ways
“That's what the encouraging part is. We're trying to, trying to beat teams in different ways. We're not always going to be able to sit back and crank out home runs. We're going to have to be able to move runners. We have to be able to hit and run, steal bases when the situations present themselves, be smart on the base paths, and execute when we have to. So just trying to add different layers to the game, to where we don't just become one dimensional.”
On Landon Hairston’s 7-RBI performance
“It was outstanding. We needed it. He had a couple of big hits there, a double with three runs, and then, of course, the slam there as well. But Landon's gonna have big days for us. He's had big days in the past. That’s not gonna be the last one he has. I don't think so. Again, just sticking to his approach, doing what he does best, got a pitch up in the zone and didn't miss it.”
On the team overcoming adversity
“We didn't fold. And I guess the biggest takeaway for me is that we got faced with that situation, and we didn't give in. We recognized it. We didn't panic. We strung a few things together. Were we sharp throughout the game with that stuff when we had our opportunities? No, not at all, but didn't waver on it. We kept battling, kept grinding, and were able to push enough runs across to get a win. And learning how to win is sometimes difficult. But in expecting to win, if we do get down early, expecting to win is another acquired taste, if you will. As you kind of get going, you don't flinch, and when you get down, you don't flinch, you keep going, you keep battling. And our guys did that today, so that was a good thing. Good takeaway from today's game.”
Pitcher Kole Klecker
On his first start as a Sun Devil and the explosive offense
“It was awesome. I'll never tell the offense to not score runs. That's obviously a lot of help when you have a lot of run support behind you, but I’m just grateful for the opportunity. I’m grateful to be back home and pitch here. It was an awesome night. I’m glad that it went well, I pitched well, and that's a really good team win.”
On his approach to the strike zone
“I feel like in my process, one of the things in it is to just really attack the zone. I kind of like to say I’m on the hunt all the time. I try not to get behind in counts. That obviously gives hitters leverage. So the more I can stay ahead, the more opportunity I have to get quick outs or strikeouts when the time comes. I feel like I did a really good job pounding the strike zone.”
On pitching for ASU as a hometown kid
“It's fun. It’s a really cool experience, surreal, kind of full circle. If you would have asked me when I was 8 years old where I was going to play college baseball, I'd say ASU. Obviously I ended up at TCU for a couple of years, but it's really nice to be back here. It’s really special. I have a lot of people that are able to come out and watch and support me, so it's been really cool so far.”
Outfielder Landon Hairston
On hitting a grand slam
“It felt good. There was a little bit of frustration early on in the game. I'm not happy with how my at bats went early on, so, feeling the first one is always a good feeling. It was the first Grand Slam in my life too, so I had a little bit of extra excitement there.”
On how his power has improved this season
“I think just being more comfortable with my swing, with my approach and with everything. Last year, I was just battling early on. I was kind of a scrawny freshman, just trying to keep up with the big guys, but now that I've seen a couple of at-bats in there and gotten used to it, I'm definitely more comfortable now and confident in my ability.”
Infielder Nu'u Contrades
On what has been working for him offensively this season
“Really just seeing the ball well. El (Assistant Coach Jason Ellison) has been working on me keeping my direction good, and that's one thing that he's been harping me on. He's just been constantly reminding me just to stay to right center and it’s been working.”
On the hitting approach with runners in scoring positon
“I think the main thing was just to hunt up in the zone. With runners in scoring position and less than two outs, you're looking to drive something to the outfield. That's kind of something that the coaches have harped on us over the last couple of days. So I think we did a really good job at that and kind of cashing in when we needed to tonight.”
Outfielder Dominic Longo
On seeing the offense score so many runs
“It was awesome. I had a lot of fun out there. It was cool to be a part of it. Our offense is a good offense, and when we get rolling, it's lights out for sure, so it was awesome.”
On how the crowd noise affects him
“I like the crowd. I think that it’s a fun experience and a fun environment to be in and I like to perform a lot more when there's a lot more fans there. I think that's just more exciting. So, I mean I loved it. I loved it out there.”
Up Next
Arizona State remains at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a weekend series against St. John's beginning Friday. The games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ by the Cronkite School of Journalism.
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