PHOENIX – Having a baseball field off-campus makes it tougher for students to attend games. Phoenix Municipal Stadium sits about three miles northwest of Arizona State’s Old Main building, and sometimes the student section sits mostly empty.
Friday night, that was not the case; the student section, named “The Inferno,” drew a passionate crowd who chanted the Ball 5 chant frequently and even before the St. John’s pitchers reached five consecutive balls. That was especially prevalent in the seventh inning with freshman lefty Tommy Conley walking in a run after he walked two others and hit a batter.
That set up redshirt junior infielder Nu’u Contrades to potentially take the game out of reach for the Red Storm. He did exactly that, slapping a 400-foot grand slam. The five-run seventh powered Arizona State baseball (5-0) to defeat St. John’s (1-4) 9-1.
“To the students that came out, man, awesome, thank you,” Arizona State head coach Bloomquist said. “It’s a lot of fun to listen to them over there chanting.”
Junior lefty Cole Carlon had a solid performance, giving him a pair of starts where he has performed well to start the season. Like last week, the only run he gave up was off a solo homer.
Carlon threw six innings on 83 pitches, setting career highs in both. The Arizona native struck out nine, walked three, and allowed three hits in Friday’s performance. Carlon was still throwing heat at the end of his outing. He worked his changeup into the mix after not using it last week.
“He was able to lock in and make some big pitches when he had to, to keep zeros on the board,” Bloomquist said. “He did a good job of limiting the damage.”
Junior righty Alex Overbay had another successful game backing up Carlon. He threw 30 pitches in two innings, only allowing a walk, while striking out three.
Freshman right-hander Austin Musso had a bounce-back performance. He allowed a hit and a walk, but got a strikeout and a double play to finish the game.
“He (Musso) did great,” Bloomquist said. “He’s going to be good for us moving forward.”
Offensively, the Sun Devils relied on the long ball, scoring seven of the nine runs off it. Contrades hit his second grand slam and his third home run of the season tied for the most on the team. He has a hit in every game this season.
Fifth-year outfielder Dean Toigo blasted a 429-foot two-run bomb. He is tied with Contrades for the most homers on the season.
“I took two changeups prior in the at-bat, so I had a feeling fastball was coming,” Toigo said. “I was hunting fastball up, and then he just threw it where I was looking.”
Junior infielder Dominic Smaldino slugged a 397-foot solo shot as well, his second on the year. He had three hits in the game and has recorded a hit in every game this season.
At the top of the order, sophomore utility Landon Hairston failed to record an out at the plate at the top of the lineup. Hairston had a pair of hits and a pair of walks. He has hit in every game this season as well.
“I don’t think he’s fully locked in yet to be honest,” Bloomquist said. “He gives himself opportunities to get those type of hits because the bat head is in the zone for so long.”
Redshirt junior infielder Garrett Michel had a productive night with a pair of hits and a walk. He has recorded a hit in every game he has played in.
Redshirt sophomore infielder Austen Roellig had a solid night with a walk and a hit.
Bloomquist has often let younger guys get appearances late in games, including this one, as freshman catcher Cooper Clouser and sophomore outfielder Ky McGary played. Freshman infielder Finn Leach has also seen playing time.
Those three are a combined 0-5 this season, with Clouser recording a walk in Friday’s game. They seem to be a bit off from breaking into the rotation of players.
The Sun Devils struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-9. The baserunning was a struggle as well, with Hairston being thrown out while trying to steal third, and junior infielder Dominic Longo was picked off trying to steal second.
“We’re always gonna be aggressive on the bases,” Contrades said. “Our plan isn’t going to change.”
Arizona State had two strikeouts at the plate all game. It averages less than five a game.
The Sun Devils sit at an undefeated 5-0, compared to their rival, Arizona, which is 0-6. The two teams have both played Nebraska-Omaha and Connecticut.
“We’re winning, which is all I care about,” Toigo said.