Inning by inning
First inning
The Sun Devils went down in order in the top of the first.
Cole Carlon took the mound for Arizona State and retired the side on two flyouts and a strikeout.
Second inning
ASU was sent down in 1-2-3 fashion for the second inning in a row.
A leadoff double for the Mountaineers came around to score on a two-out RBI-single, but Carlon was able to limit the damage to just one.
Third inning
A two-out hit by pitch for PJ Moutzouridis was the only baserunner in the inning, as a flyout ended the frame with ASU trailing, 1-0.
After retiring the first two batters in quick succession, West Virginia got a baserunner on a single that deflected off Carlon’s glove and allowed the runner to reach safely. However, Carlon struck out the next batter to keep it a one-run deficit.
Fourth inning
A leadoff triple for Nu’u Contrades gave the Sun Devils their first hit of the game, and Dean Toigo followed it up with a two-run home run to deep right to put Arizona State on top, 2-1. The next three batters were retired on a groundout, strikeout, and flyout.
West Virginia got a quick baserunner on a leadoff single, but Carlon was able to erase the runner on a 1-6-3 double play. Another single and a full-count walk followed, but Carlon kept it a 2-1 game with an inning-ending strikeout.
Fifth inning
Arizona State was unable to get anything going in the top of the fifth.
Carlon tossed a three-up, three-down bottom of the fifth.
Sixth inning
The Mountaineers brought in a new pitcher, and Contrades worked a one-out walk, then stole second to move into scoring position. Smaldino walked as well, and a wild pitch on ball 4 allowed Contrades to come all the way home and extend the Sun Devils lead to 3-1. A four pitch walk to Roellig forced West Virginia to make a pitching change, but Matt Polk was sent down on strikes to end the frame.
After retiring the first hitter on one pitch, Cole Carlon was relieved for Finn Edwards. Edwards gave up three consecutive singles, allowing West Virginia to score and make it a 3-2 game. A groundball to short turned into a two-run error, as Moutzouridis threw the ball in the dirt, and the Mountaineers took a 4-3 lead. Edwards was then replaced by Sean Fitzpatrick, who allowed a ground-rule double that put two runners into scoring position. However, Fitzpatrick struck out the next two batters to end the frame.
Seventh inning
Arizona State couldn’t get anything started in the seventh, going down in order.
Colin Linder was the next pitcher out of the bullpen for the Sun Devils, retiring the first batter on a flyout before walking the next. The runner was caught stealing, then Linder struck out the third batter to finish off the scoreless frame.
Eighth inning
Hairston walked to lead off the frame, but a fielder’s choice saw him thrown out at second. Dean Toigo reached on a fly ball to center that the center fielder dropped, then Smaldino flew out to the warning track in right to move Contrades to third. However, Roellig was called out on strikes to end the inning with the Sun Devils still trailing 4-3.
After a flyout to start off the inning, things got bad, as a walk gave West Virginia a baserunner, and a single plus a throwing error allowed a run to score. Linder got a strikeout before being relieved by Derek Schaefer. An RBI-single followed, then a stolen base and throwing error that allowed the third run of the inning to score. Schaefer got a flyout to end the frame with ASU trailing 7-3.
Ninth inning
A leadoff single from Polk and a pinch-hit walk from Ky McGary gave the Sun Devils two baserunners, but three straight flyouts to right followed to end Arizona State’s run in the Big 12 Tournament.
