With a final score of 16-5, ASU baseball completed an explosive three-game sweep of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday.
ASU was led by four hits from both Spencer Torkelson and Hunter Bishop, while Daniel Jung’s three hits led Notre Dame. Arizona State went error-free through the series, a promising stat based on the team’s struggles with errors last season.
As the score indicates, the game was an offensive onslaught from ASU. Six Sun Devils recorded at least one RBI, with Torkelson bringing in a game-high four runs. ASU’s lone home run was scored by Bishop, his first of the year.
Trevor Hauver walked once in the third game of the series, a stark contrast to his seven walks recorded through the first two games. Hauver’s maturity at the plate, as well as the maturity of the entire team, has left a positive impression on coach Tracy Smith.
“What I was really pleased with was the patience at the plate,” Smith said. “I could probably count on one hand the guys that chased pitches out of the zone. I was really pleased with the maturity of our at-bats at the plate.
“I thought they did an excellent job at staying with their approach.”
Bishop, coming off a four-hit day, echoed the sentiments from Smith on ASU’s approach and experience entering this season.
“I think we have a plan this year,” Bishop said. “Last year was kind of what he (Smith) was starting to get in to, and then this year is really a testament to all the work he’s put in for us.
“Skip talked about us being a young team last year, and I think it shows now how everybody is starting to mature as a hitter approach-wise, and seeing different types of pitches, and hitting them where they’re pitched.”
On the defensive side, starting pitcher RJ Dabovich made the start for the first time in his D1 career. Dabovich spent last season playing for Central Arizona in the ACCAC. He recorded three runs, four hits, five walks, 51 strikes on 88 total pitches in his first career Sun Devil start.
“It was a good first start for him, his first Division 1 start, and to get a win, go five for his team, was good,” Smith said. “One thing I would eliminate is the walks.”
Smith focused on the need for ASU’s pitchers to be more efficient overall. He also stated he was making sure his pitchers were ready to throw multiple times in the same weekend.
The Sun Devils used seven pitchers on Saturday and six pitchers on Sunday, which shows that Smith is serious about keeping a deep bullpen.
ASU’s midweek opponent is the University of San Diego. The two teams meet at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Wednesday.
All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.