Baseball Trounces USC for Series Victory, 17-2

PHOENIX - Sun Devil Baseball delivered another electrifying night in Phoenix Municipal Stadium with a 17-2 blowout to secure the series win against the USC Trojans and the team's second conference series in a row. The Sun Devils never looked back after launching three home runs in the first inning and jumping out to a 5-0 lead. 
 
ASU (22-21, 12-11 Pac-12) was rolling on all cylinders, erupting for 17 hits and 17 RBIs to bring in the 17 runs with four homers, two doubles and a triple.  
 
Buried in the bats' success, Connor Markl gave his seventh 5.0+ inning start in a row with 6.0 innings tonight. Only allowing one run on three hits, Markl walked two and struck out two in 81 total pitches. Sean Fitzpatrick added two strikeouts in 2.0 innings of scoreless baseball, and Jaden Alba closed it out in the ninth. 
 
ASU had their bats ready again, notching double digit hits for the 27th time this season. They were halfway there in the first inning after the three jacks and a pair of singles. Kien Vu got the scoring started with the first of his two two-run home runs on evening, adding a triple in the sixth and posting a career-best six RBIs. On pace for the school record in hits, Ryan Campos had a perfect five hits in five at bats before being pulled after the sixth inning of the blowout. Eamonn Lance and Isaiah Jackson both added home runs in their two-hit outings. Every Sun Devil starter recorded a hit and six had an RBI. 
 
TURNING POINT
As opposed to last night, the Sun Devils didn't wait until the second inning to put up a five-spot After a quick top of the first frame, Campos led off the bottom half with a single down the left field line and Vu stepped into his first pitch and knocked it 430 feet off the batter's eye to bring ASU's first two runs around the bases. With one out, Tobias hit a strong single to center field to get in position for Lance's fifth jack of the season, coming off a full count. Not done yet, Jackson launched a 455-foot bomb over the right field wall with two outs and a full count. ASU left the first inning with a quick 5-0 edge. 
 
BIG MOMENT
Markl shined on the mound through the first six innings of the game, allowing just one hit through three innings as the Sun Devils built a 6-0 lead. After giving up his second and third hits and his first run in the fourth inning, Markl had his first and only real challenge of the game with the bases loaded and one out. The veteran induced a huge double play to get out of the frame and cruised from there, retiring the side in the fifth and striking out the third batter in the sixth to close out a stellar night. ASU was up 11-1 when he threw his last pitch. Sean Fitzpatrick added two strikeouts in the seventh and covered first base on a groundout after allowing two runners on base. Another strikeout in the third ended his 2.0 innings with one hit and one walk on three strikeouts. 
 
FINAL STRAW
Working with an 11-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Lance took a walk and Mendoza singled to get two runners on base. This set up a string of three singles from Jackson, Demera, and Campos that all brought a runner in and put one on first and third. With one out, Vu sent a triple that rolled to the right field wall and brought in his fifth and sixth RBIs. McLain followed up with a double over the second baseman to bring in the sixth run of the frame and leave the Sun Devils with a resounding 17-1 lead. 
 
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist 
On the reassurance to the fanbase and alumni after the run that the team has been on: 
"Well, what should be reassuring is the fact that we're going to keep grinding and some days it's not going to be pretty and some days it is going to be pretty. To me, you can't be fair weather. You're all in or you're all out. I see what goes on here every day and these kids bust their ass every day. That's something that we'll always be proud of. Sometimes the result on the field doesn't always get you warm and fuzzy, but at the end of the day, as long as these guys are competing and trying to represent the program in the best light, then I'm happy. At the end of the day, these guys do that and I'm around them every day and the average person isn't in this clubhouse every day and doesn't see what goes on every day and the amount of hours these kids put into work and to be the best they can to represent, themselves, the school, the program. We understand what the expectations are and in today's world, it's tough. We have an uphill climb but it isn't due to a lack of work ethic and and give-a-crap meter because these guys care and they want it. A couple of weeks ago we're having different conversations right now and these kids are continuing to put their head down and grind and that I'm very proud of each 
 
On Connor Markl's consistency and experience and what he means to the pitching staff: 
"That's his consistency and what he's able to bring is why we had him on Saturday. When we first put this rotation together, it's obviously changed significantly since opening day, but he's been pretty consistent on that Saturday role. He's a calming presence and he's always going to go out and be pretty steady Eddie and solid for us. Whether or not we have a great Friday, he's a guy that we can win the series.. He's a guy that can calm the waters because he is very consistent and knocks on wood. You can pretty much count on what you're going to get out of him. He's gonna give up a few hits here and there, but he's not gonna beat himself up most of the time and he'll give us a good solid outing. That's pretty much what he's done. I don't know if your guys' lens is different from mine, but he's been pretty consistent in my book."
 
On how important it is to have alumni come back around: 
"It's great when those guys come around. I wish they would come around more often. We talk about family and playing for one another and playing for each other and everybody buying into the program. We wish those guys would come around more often because this is what I've said a million times. They're the ones that built the foundation of this place and it's their home and we're doing our best to continue to represent it through thick and thin. Whether we're playing great or not, we want those guys around and sharing their knowledge and experience with these guys so they really know how special it is. I can sit up here and preach all day long to them, but until those guys actually start coming back and being a part of it and continuing to stay a part of it, then that makes it that much more special."
 
On Ryan Campos' career night and if it's a surprise at all: 
"I've seen how special of a player he is and the amount of work ethic that he puts in and time and energy that he puts in. He's a baseball rat that just cannot get enough of it. Essentially, he learned that from (former Sun Devil) Joe Lampe. I'm never here when he's not here. I don't know if he's paying rent or what to (Phoenix) Muni (Municipal Stadium), but the kid is always here and always doing something. Taking care of his body or getting some extra swings or whatever. He just is always around and he loves being here. So, to see the results starting to pan out the way we all expect the Ryan Campos results to be, it's not surprising. I knew it was just a matter of time before the sweet swing would start coming back and the results would start piling up and you have five hits tonight and it's just the kid's incredible. I'm not surprised, but very happy for him."
 
On Kien Vu's transition from freshman to sophomore year and the work he put in over the summer: 
"Well, work ethic, from his standpoint or really anybody's standpoint, there's never been an issue. It's just a matter of him getting his opportunity and continuing to make the most of it. Early on we had a couple of injuries where he got some time in there and was doing very well. Our regulars got healthy and he was used as a pinch-hitter here and there, but he continues to stay ready. So, the mentality and mindset of continuing to be ready for your opportunity – he epitomizes that. He's been ready for it and he got his chance and has made the absolute most of it. So, that's what you want guys to do and he's made my job difficult at times on who to put in the lineup, but he's a staple now. So, he's done an outstanding job."
 
On if he ever talked to a psychologist about mental health during his time as a player and if he knew Kien was talking to their psychologist on staff:
"Coaches are phenomenal and we have one on staff with Mark Strickland being our guy here. Most guys that I know that have spoken to them, I don't want to say they get a bad rap for thinking 'Oh, I'm seeing a sports psychologist.' No, they're a mental skills coach to help you get better with your skills on the field. It's just like you go work with the hitting coach,. We've all said this, that baseball is 80 percent mental most of the time. So, why are we not practicing the mental ways to prepare properly? We practice the physical stuff all day long, but the mental part of it is just as important, if not more important. So, for guys to utilize the resources that we have here at ASU with great mental skills coaches, and Kien's taken advantage of that. You can see where the results take off if done properly. So, to answer your question, yeah, I've had the experiences with those guys when I was playing major league baseball and having my ups and downs,too, just like everybody. More downs than ups, but those guys give you tools to get back in the saddle and get off and running. So, I didn't know that about Kien, but it doesn't surprise me with the results he's having."
 
Sophomore left fielder Kien Vu
On Willie Bloomquist taking a "step back" and players stepping up into a leadership role:
"I wouldn't necessarily say that him stepping back was what we needed, but I will say that we just needed to trust each other a little more. I think that's what his goal was when he said something like that, but I think if we play more as a team rather than an individual, like anything, that would be the key. I think that's what he meant when he said that and it seems to be working for us."
 
On if the trust is growing over the current winning streak:
"Our pitching staff is doing an amazing job keeping runs and base runners limited. So, it's easy when you have a lockdown pitching staff to just go out there and swing. That's working together and pitching the crap out of it and swinging it. It's cool."
 
Junior catcher Ryan Campos
On what has been impressive about the pitching from the past five games
"Their off-speeds. They land pretty well. They're being efficient with a fastball command. It's easy to get back there and hit it when you're pushing the momentum at them, just making them make a play. One thing I will say is baseball is an up-and-down sport. A lot of people point fingers and stuff. Social media wasn't really great towards us when we were having our skid, but we stuck to our guns and now we're winning and everyone's acting like we changed everything. We just stuck to ourselves. So, I think it's a testament to the coaching."
 
Senior left-handed pitcher Connor Markl
On the trust growing within the team:
"It's easy to pitch when they're scoring a lot of runs. I always like those close games, but it's also really fun to be up and have like 30 minutes in between innings to decompress from what just happened because our hitters are just hitting. So, it's kind of nice. It's been a fun ride and we realize that we have a long ways to go still and it's not just looking at these past games. Now it's focusing on tomorrow and what we can do to hopefully take the sweep and then keep that momentum going."
 
NOTABLES 

• Ryan Campos' first inning single means he has now reached base safely in 122-of-132 career games (92.4 percent) with the Sun Devils and all but one game this season.
• His fifth inning two-RBI double was his 19th of the season, good for Top-10 in the country this year.
• Campos' five hits tonight were a career high. He is now batting a team-best .374 in Pac-12 games this season (Kien Vu's .460 is not eligible for statistics due to too few ABs). It is the fourth-best average in league games among all hitters. His 24 RBIs in those games are three more than any other player on the ASU roster and third in the Pac-12 in league games. 
• ASU's three home runs in the first were the second time this season the squad recorded three first inning home runs (led off the Utah finale with three solo homers). Since at least 1998 (as far back as easily accessible play-by-plays), ASU had never had more than two home runs in a first inning of a game.
• USC  starter Michael Ebner had not given up a home run all season in 24.2 innings pitch and had given up just three total in his career over 25 career appearances prior to the three he gave up in the first inning allowed to the Sun Devils.
• Ebner had entered the game allowing opponents to bat just .208 on the year and had never given up more than four hits in a single outing before giving up five to ASU in the first inning alone tonight. 
• The six runs allowed by USC reliever Jared Feikes were the most he has allowed in his career, which spans 67 appearances and over 200 innings pitched. 
• With another two homers and a triple today, Kien Vu continued his electric 19-game stretch that started with his start against UNLV. In that time, he leads the team with a .476 average with eight homers, four doubles, a triple and a team-best 26 RBIs. His .952 slugging percentage is over .200 points higher than any other eligible hitter. He's also a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases in that time. 
• His six RBIs tonight were the most in a game by a Sun Devil this season. 
• Quietly in that 18-game stretch, Mario Demera now has 16 RBIs with two more tonight - the third-best total on the squad. 
• Eamonn Lance has made the most of his playing time in his last 15 appearances, as he has recorded just 10 hits this year and five of them have left the ballpark after hos homer today. His 12 RBI are sixth-best on the team over the last 19 games, despite having over 300 fewer at-bats than those ahead of him. 
• ASU reached double digit hits for the 27th time in 43 games, having 17 today.
• The 17 runs today mark the first time USC has given up double digit runs in consecutive games since Feb. 25 and 26 at Auburn last season. Today's 17 runs were the most since Stanford scored 22 on May 20, 2022 and the 29 runs between Friday and Saturday were the most USC had allowed in a two-game stretch since 34 against Stanford in the final two games of that season (22 and 12).
• This season, ASU has posted 37 4+ run innings and 22 4+ run innings following its five-run first,  three-run fifth and six-run sixth It was the ninth and tenth times this season ASU plated at least five runs in an inning.
• Connor Markl put together his team-best third quality start tonight, allowing just one run on three hits over 6.0 innings of work. He is the first to record three quality starts since Kyle Luckham had six in 2022. It was the seventh-straight start in which he has gone for 5.0+ innings matching Luckham (2022) for the most since Alex Marsh started the 2019 season with 10 straight 5.0+ inning starts.
• Markl now has a 2.27 ERA in Pac-12 games, which is the second-best among Pac-12 starting pitchers behind only Utah's Bryson Van Sickle (2.03). His 3.44 overall ERA for the season is sixth among Pac-12 starters.
• ASU has held opponents to three runs or less in seven of the last nine games. It had just four games in the first 34 this season allowing three runs or less. 
• ASU has allowed just nine runs in the last five games, the fewest it has given up in a five-game stretch since March 6-14 in 2021 (two-game vs. Utah and three game series vs. Cal State Fullerton), where it gave up just seven. 
• ASU's four home runs tonight and last night are the most USC has given up in a game this season.

 
INNING BY INNING 
First Inning
Kien Vu made a diving catch out in left field to mark the first out of the inning. After a groundout to third, Odina scooped a grounder and made the toss to second to close out USC's bat. After Campos' single made it past USC's third baseman, Vu smacked one out of the park on his first pitch to give ASU a 2-0 lead with zero outs. After Tobias's single out to left field, Lance managed to hit one out of the park on a 3-2 count to give ASU another two-run homer, making it 4-0 with one out. On another 3-2 count, Jackson popped one 455 feet out over the right field for a single home run to make it 5-0. ASU ended the first inning on a fly out.
 
Second Inning
ASU ended the frame quickly with a groundout, fly out, and a pop fly. After a line drive through left field by Campos and a walk from Vu, Lance singled one to first to bring Campos in. A fly out ended the second inning with a 6-0 Sun Devil lead. 
 
Third Inning
After Ondina fielded a grounder for the first out, both Jackson and Vu caught fly outs to end the frame. The Sun Devils were retired in order.
 
Fourth Inning
Markl marked his first strikeout of the night to start the inning. Using two singles, a walk, and a hit by pitch, USC was able to bring one in and fill the bases before ASU escaped the frame with a double play. After a single up the middle by Campos, Vu homered one 441 to right center to give the Sun Devils another two-run homer. McLain and Tobias were both walked and reached second and third on a wild pitch but were stranded after a groundout and two strikeouts. The Sun Devils hold a comfortable 8-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
 
Fifth Inning
Mendoza made an athletic play on a strong grounder up the middle to secure the first out of the inning and Tobias fielded the last out of USC's frame. After Demera was walked, Ondina flied one out to right field to extend Demera to third base. A line drive by Campos brought in two runners, extending the Sun Devils lead to 10-1 with zero outs. A fly out allowed Campos to race a throw to home and narrowly escape the tag to score. The Sun Devils sat with an 11-1 lead over the Trojans to end the fifth inning. 
 
Sixth Inning
The Sun Devils open up with a double play fielded by Mendoza originally and Ondina making the play to first. Markl marked his second strikeout of the night to end USC's frame. Three singles from Jackson, Demera, and Campos brought in three runners while extending a single runner to third on every hit. Vu doubled down the right field line bringing in two runners while he made it safely to third on the throw. McLain was able to get a double hit to left field which gave Vu the green light to head home. A pop out and a strikeout ended the Sun Devils run, with a 17-1 lead heading into the seventh. 
 
Seventh Inning
After USC occupied first and second, Fitzpatrick secured back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to first. The Sun Devils were retired in order. 
 
Eighth Inning
Mendoza fielded a grounded before Fitzpatrick assisted Ondina on a second after it bounced off of Fitzpatrick's glove. Fitzpatrick then ended USC's frame with a strikeout. Williams earned a walk but a strikeout closed the inning.
 
Ninth Inning
USC brought in a run before ASU ended the game with a groundout. The Sun Devils won 17-2 over the Trojans
 
ON DECK: 
The Sun Devils will aim to clinch their second-straight series sweep tomorrow with first pitch against the Trojans scheduled for 1:00 p.m. AZT at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game will be available through the ASU Live Stream and over the local airwaves on KDUS 1060 AM.