After winning Game 1 of doubleheader, ASU baseball overcame five errors to defeat Northwestern 4-3 on a walk-off single by Sebastian Zawada.
ASU baseball didn’t let early offensive struggles and a parade of errors ruin their Opening Day.
Playing an Opening Day doubleheader due to pending inclement weather ASU beat the Northwestern Wildcats by the scores of 3-1 and 4-3 on Friday. The nightcap included late game heroics and ultimately a walk-off winner.
Eli Lingos, the Friday night starter, began his campaign slicing up the Wildcat batters for seven shutout innings with his cross-body delivery and assortment of pitches. Throwing his fastball and breaking ball in any count forcing easy two-hoppers to his infielders.
“It was definitely one of my better starts,” when asked if it was one of his best starts at ASU. “It took me awhile to get command and the movement I wanted on all my pitches going forward, but once I started finding it in the later innings it started to work out,” said Lingos.
Sebastian Zawada was the hero for ASU, delivering a two-out walk-off single to secure the sweep. Zawada put together good at-bats the whole game, but had nothing to show for it prior to the ninth.
“I was looking for something off-speed outside part of the plate, he wasn’t overpowering so I knew he’d try to sneak something by me, I saw a pitch up and put it through,” said Zawada.
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A big bat for the Sun Devils in both games was freshman first baseman/catcher Lyle Lin.
Lin went 4-9 at the plate including a go-ahead two-run double in the first game putting ASU ahead for good.
Lin, originally from Taiwan, showed that it wouldn’t be too difficult of an adjustment to college baseball pitching. Lin also showed his versatility by stepping in for Taylor Lane at first base, who was suspended for the first game due to transfer rule violations.
It wasn’t all excitement for the Sun Devils.
ASU didn’t score a run until the fifth inning in game two and had more errors than hits during game two.
Third baseman Andrew Snow had four errors between both contests, and shortstop Jeremy McCuin botched a potential inning-ending double play leading to two Northwestern runs.
Arizona State head coach Tracy Smith chalked up the errors to nerves and inexperience.
“We have a very young team, and I could hear the heartbeats in the middle of the diamond,” Smith said. “Once we settle in and just trust in the preparation and let our abilities take over I think we’ll be fine. We don’t need to make the great play, just the routine.”
Unsung heroes from the night game included sophomore Fitz Stadler and junior transfer Jake Godfrey.
Stadler in particular put out the fire by tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings of work, leaving the Sun Devils window open for a potential comeback. Smith was proud of their efforts, but believes anyone in his bullpen can step into that role.
“I don’t think we have that bonafide first-rounder right now, but we have 8-10 guys that are all about the same and are all pretty good,” Smith said. “He (Stadler) is going to be called upon, he does a great job of keeping it close so we can make out comeback.”
Next: ASU Baseball: Sun Devils Take Game 1 of Doubleheader
ASU will now trot out freshman starter Spencer Van Scoyoc for Saturday’s game weather permitting. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native has impressed thus far as the Sun Devils seek to sweep the opening series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. MST, and can be viewed through ASU’s live stream.