Longball defines Sun Devils' massive comeback against GCU

This season, the Sun Devils have been a power-heavy team with 60 home runs, placing them tied 11th in the nation. That was the case in the first matchup against the Lopes in March, with three of the four runs coming off the long ball.

No. 20 Arizona State (24-9, 7-5 Big 12) slugged six home runs against Grand Canyon (11-22) in a 12-8 victory. All of the Sun Devil runs came on home run balls.

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In the earlier game against the Lopes, sophomore catcher Coen Niclai was the hero, hitting the game-tying home run and game-winning walk-off single. Niclai was the hero once again on Tuesday, launching a game-tying 369-foot grand slam, his second home run of the game. His third (389 feet) and fourth have added on to his career high in homers in a single season. 

The homers were Niclai’s only hits of the game. He raked 5 RBI and two runs scored. The Alaska native has smashed his single-season stats in RBI, home runs, hits, runs and walks. 

The usual home run hitter, sophomore utility Landon Hairston, creamed the 397-foot longball that gave the Sun Devils their first lead of the game. He had two RBI, two runs and a walk on the night. He now rides a 16-game hitting streak.

Hairston’s 19 home runs have him in a three-way tie for second nationally, one behind Cincinnati’s Quinton Coats. Hairston has 16 homers in his last 20 games.

Hairston has set a career high in doubles, triples, home runs, RBI and total bases this season and has tied his career high in runs scored. He needs five more hits to tie his total from last season. 

Junior first baseman Dominic Smaldino slugged his sixth home run of the season (409 feet) and has two consecutive games with homers. In total, he collected three hits, two runs and two RBI. 

5th-year outfielder Dean Toigo bashed his 13th home run of the season, which went 353 feet. The only other action he saw was a hit and a walk.

Junior shortstop PJ Moutzouridis slugged a two-run shot and walked. That was his third home run of the year.

Graduate outfielder Matt Polk had a busy night with a double, a walk, and a pair of hit-by-pitches while scoring twice. In the Sun Devils' last three games, he is 6-9, with three runs scored after seeing the field three times in the previous 17.

Redshirt sophomore third baseman Austen Roellig left the game with a leg injury and was replaced by freshman infielder Finn Leach. If his injury keeps him out of games, this could be worrisome for the Sun Devils. 

Redshirt junior infielder Nu’u Contrades has split time with sophomore Beckett Zavorek since working back from injury. That would mean that when Contrades is unavailable to play the field, Zavorek and Leach are the primary options. 

Other options could be moving junior utility Dominic Longo from center to third, but his bat has been slumping as of late. Freshman infielder Brenden Lewis could see his first playing time. 

Roellig’s status is unknown.

The pitching gave up some home runs.

Sophomore lefty Easton Barrett had his first rough outing in over a month, only going one and two-thirds innings. Like most of his poor appearances, walks got to him, allowing three. He allowed six runs on four hits, both season highs. His ERA rises to 7.71.

Junior right-hander Jaden Alba gave up a home run on the first batter he faced, and it looked like it might be a long night for the Sun Devils as they were down 7-0. Alba then buckled down, throwing three and two-thirds innings of shutdown baseball.

On the night, he allowed one run on four hits with three strikeouts. His season ERA falls to 6.14. 

Graduate right-handed pitcher Colby Guy threw four outs after Alba. He allowed one run on the night, with it coming off a homer. He allowed one other hit and struck out three. Opponents have knocked the South Carolina native, with his last three appearances being bumpy, inflating his ERA to 5.65.

Senior southpaw Sean Fitzpatrick allowed one hit in the inning he threw. He struck out a pair. The Texas native has hit a rocky road as of late, and the outing is much needed with his ERA falling to 4.20.

Junior righty Alex Overbay finished with a perfect five outs. This is his first scoreless outing in exactly a month. His ERA moves down to 7.71.

It will be interesting to see how the Sun Devils navigate midweek against UNLV on Wednesday. Junior right-hander Colin Linder could make the start, but he threw multiple innings on Saturday, putting his length in question.

With the win, the Sun Devils have clinched the series against GCU and are 5-1 against the other Arizona schools this season. This is their first win at GCU since 2023. Arizona State is now 8-1 in midweeks this season, with three coming against other Arizona schools.