Arizona State wins 17-10 to sweep Buckeyes in chaotic third game

One series is officially in the books, and Arizona State is sitting pretty with a 3-0 record.

The Sun Devils clinched the series victory on Saturday, but relished the opportunity to get the sweep. They did just that, beating the Buckeyes 17-10 when all was said and done. However, this game featured some chaos and undisciplined defense on both sides, leading to the game going beyond four hours in length.

Ohio State, whose bats have been active each of the past two days, started off hot on Sunday. Matthew Graveline hit an RBI triple in the first inning to bring Trey Lipsey home, and then Tyler Pettorini drove in Graveline with a double to take an early 2-0 lead.

As has been the case in this series, though, the Sun Devils promptly responded. Kien Vu scored on a fielding error that came as a result of a wild throw trying to stave off his steal attempt. Arizona State then got two quick solo homers from Brandon Compton and Josiah Cromwick to take a 3-2 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Jaden Alba, who made his first career start after working just seven innings of relief last year for the Sun Devils, locked in after his rough start. He pitched three shutout innings and finished with three strikeouts on the day. He was replaced by Josh Butler, who extended the scoreless streak for the Buckeyes to four straight innings before giving up a run in the sixth.

In between that cold streak for Ohio State, though, the Sun Devils continued to run up the score. Nu'u Contrades drove in a run in the second inning before things really exploded in the fourth. Compton drove in Jax Ryan with a double that forced a fielding error, and Cromwick added a double that brought in two more runs with another fielding error.

The offensive explosion continued in the fifth, with Ryan singling up the middle to allow Jonathon Hernandez to round the bases and score from first. Ryan was brought home a few at-bats later thanks to a sacrifice fly from Compton, who finished the day with three RBI. Next came Jacob Tobias, who drove in a run and nearly got a second, but Kyle Walker was thrown out at home plate.

Arizona State took that 10-2 lead into the sixth when the Buckeyes finally got a run of their own. However, it spurred a hot streak for Ohio State in the seventh, where they racked up four runs, with two coming off singles and another from a wild pitch. Suddenly, the lead was cut to 10-7, and it seemed as if the Buckeyes were right back in it.

Of course, Arizona State hit right back, kicking off the chaos in the process. With the bases loaded and no outs, Cromwick popped up an infield fly. However, shortstop Marc Stephens dropped the ball, allowing Contrades to reach home plate. Stephens then airmailed the throw to third base, giving Compton a chance to score as well, upping the lead to 13-7.

That wasn't all, though. Isaiah Jackson got walked on a ball four that bounced in the dirt and behind the catcher, bringing Tobias home for another run to make it 14-7. Just as quickly as Ohio State had fought its way back into the game, they had played themselves back into a hole.

As was the cadence of this game, though, they got themselves right back in it afterwards. The Buckeyes went into the eighth inning and promptly hit consecutive homers, netting three runs in the process and trimming the lead to 14-10.

Then came the bottom of the eighth and, naturally, more chaos. While throwing what would be ball four to Compton, Contrades went to steal third base, which led to a poorly thrown pickoff from the catcher. That helped Contrades then trot to home plate, netting another run while putting Compton on first and moving Vu to second.

Not long afterward, a wild pitch brought Vu home and put Compton at third, marking five consecutive runs for the Sun Devils without a single hit to their credit. Jackson came back to the plate and hit a deep single down the line to bring both Compton and Cromwick home, extending the lead to 17-10 and effectively shutting the door on the Buckeyes.

To close out the ninth inning, head coach Willie Bloomquist sent out Derek Scheafer, who transferred this offseason from reigning national champion Tennessee. Schaefer came in and promptly retired the side to secure the win and, in the process, becoming the first pitcher in the entire game to record three straight outs without a baserunner.

It was the perfect capper to a game that was filled with crazy moments. Ohio State finished the game with six errors, and the two teams combined to walk 21 batters. Both teams' bullpens were put to the test - neither starter lasted more than four innings, and the teams each finished just a few tosses shy of 200 pitches thrown - and neither one graded out well.

In the end, however, Arizona State emerged victorious in the same way they've done it in every game this series: having the more explosive offense. Of course, it's not ideal for a team that spent all offseason trying to beef up their bullpen, but Bloomquist certainly won't complain about a 3-0 start while averaging 11 runs a game.

Up next is a solo bout with Austin Peay on Monday before a three day break.