Junior Carter Aldrete crushed two home runs and drove in six runs, as ASU baseball cruised their way to a 20-7 win versus Notre Dame.
Arizona State improved to 2-0 on Saturday night behind a red hot offense and impressive bullpen as they coasted their way to a 20-7 victory over Notre Dame.
Junior Carter Aldrete led the team during their offensive explosion, driving in six and dumping two home runs into the visitor’s bullpen. In total, the team has scored 30 runs in two games.
After the fences were moved in at Phoenix Municipal Stadium during the offseason, the Devils are starting to reap the benefits.
“I know I got one pretty good, but the second one, the wind was blowing a little bit,” Aldrete said. “The fences getting moved in just changes our game. It plays into our advantage with our lineup.”
Aldrete managed to hit two home runs before teammate Spencer Torkelson could hit his first. With their home run derby history, Aldrete was cautious when it came to poking the proverbial beast.
“I’m not trying to push my luck anymore with that kid. He’s (Torkelson) so good,” Aldrete said. “Maybe I’ll give him a little elbow and be like ‘Ha, got ya.’ I’m going to be surprised if he comes out tomorrow and hits three of them. I’m not going to say anything, just stay silent and hopefully I keep doing it.”
Trevor Hauver has gotten off to a blistering start for the Sun Devils. The sophomore has walked seven times in two games and gotten on base in all but two plate appearances.
Batting leadoff, right in front of Torkelson, Hauver has been a key factor in the team’s early success.
“That’s his role. He’s got good eye at the plate and he can swing the bat, but he understands for our team to be successful, he’s got one of the best hitters, if not the best hitter in the country behind him,” head coach Tracy Smith said. “He’s got to get on base so that guy gets pitches to hit.”
Sophomore Boyd Vander Kooi got tagged for six runs in 3.2 innings pitched, but the bullpen picked him up, allowing just two runs in 5.1 innings following his departure.
Freshman Blake Burzell stopped the bleeding, throwing two key scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth.
“Whenever they need me, I’m there. I like the spotlight and I like when it’s a close game because it makes me feel important,” Burzell said. “If they’re going to put me in as a freshman for my first games, I’m going to go out there and do my thing.”
Arizona State will try and go for the sweep Sunday afternoon as RJ Dabovich will make his Sun Devil debut on the mound with Cameron Junker penciled in to start for the Fighting Irish.
All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.