PHOENIX – It was a small ball night for the Arizona State baseball. 12 of the 16 hits were singles.
That was highlighted in the third, the Sun Devils singled the Horned Frogs to a slow death with seven singles, with five in a row. It culminated with sophomore utility Landon Hairston’s third grand slam of the season.
Arizona State baseball (13-5, 1-1 Big 12) beat No. 17 Texas Christian (11-7, 1-1 Big 12) 15-8. The nine run third was the most runs the Sun Devils have scored in an inning this season.
“We did a good job sticking to a plan today,” Arizona State head coach Willie Bloomquist said. “We kind of wore them down with a lot of singles, and first to thirds, and putting the game in motion.”
The Sun Devil bats all contributed in the game.
Hairston went 3-6 at the plate, with his seventh home run of the season going 413 feet. He is one long ball short of doubling his freshman mark. It took him 30 games to hit his first homer last season.
“Landon’s going to hit for more power as he continues to get older and stronger,” Bloomquist said. “He’s done a good job putting some strength in the weight room this offseason.”
Last season, Hairston at times used then current Sun Devil Jacob Tobias’ bat which frustrated Bloomquist as he knew power would come for the freshman. This season, the power has shown up.
Hairston has been using a different former Sun Devils bat this season in current Miami Marlins prospect Brandon Compton’s bats. Bloomquist was surprised that Compton would part with any of his bats.
“I think just hit a ball hard,” Hariston said of his approach when he hit the grand slam. “I got a little big, the first couple pitches in the at-bat, but just saying short.”
Fifth-year right fielder Dean Toigo went a much needed 5-5 at the plate. He entered the game with a .250 batting average and he raised it to .308. Toigo slugged his seventh homer of the season, going 400 feet, tied with Hairston.
This is the first five-hit game for a Sun Devil since May 5th, 2024 when Nick McLain hit five against Washington.
“The confidence is always there,” Toigo said. “Stuff happens.”
Redshirt junior designated hitter Garrett Michel slugged a two-run shot that went 427 feet. He went 2-5, with three RBI and runs. That was his second homer on the season.
Junior centerfielder Dominic Longo had a pair of hits, couple of runs and an RBI. It was his flashes of the leather that stood out for the Washington native, with a great play in the seventh. He moved to centerfield from third base at the start of the year and has played well.
“I think the transition was pretty smooth,” Longo said. “It reminds me of playing football… just making plays and giving my all out there.”
Redshirt sophomore third baseman Austen Roellig went 2-4, with a pair of runs scored and a walk. He has a 10 game hit streak.
Junior first baseman Dominic Smaldino had a hit, RBI, run and walk. Sophomore infielder Beckett Zavorek walked, recorded a hit and scored twice.
Junior shortstop PJ Moutzouridis slugged a pair of RBI and scored a run. He also made some solid plays in the field.
Redshirt sophomore catcher Brody Briggs walked, scored and drove in a run.
The Sun Devils only struck out four times. Situational hitting was good with five two out RBI going .458 with runners on.
On the mound, the Sun Devils fared well.
Junior right-hander Alex Overbay had a great first three innings, but after a long bottom of the third, things went awry in the TCU fourth. Seven consecutive batters reached base scoring five runs in the inning.
Overbay finished with six earned runs (only four were earned) in three innings. He allowed five hits and four walks and struck out two. His ERA sits at 2.81.
Sophomore righty Taylor Penn took over with the bases loaded, and allowed only one inherited runner to score. He threw four innings of one-hit ball, walking one and striking out four.
This is Penn’s third win of the season, tying his freshman mark at Western Kentucky. His ERA falls to 2.20.
“I can’t tell you how big that was, that Taylor Penn did what he did,” Bloomquist said. “(He) pitched with confidence and conviction and good tempo.”
Sophomore right-hander Eli Buxton came in pitch the eighth, and he allowed two runs on a pair of hits and walks. He could only get two outs. The Oklahoma-native’s ERA is 16.61.
Junior righty Derek Schaefer finished the night, going the final four outs. He allowed two hits, a walk but no runs with three strikeouts. The Sun Devils closer sits at a 2.16 ERA this season.
“Last year it was a lot of learning,” Hairston said. “Having a season under my belt and knowing thingsthat work for me, don’t work for me, it’s huge.”