PHOENIX –ASU baseball didn’t need to raise the blood pressure of Sun Devils fans during its series finale game against Ohio State with a comfortable 17-10 win, completing the sweep. Despite the appearance of a close game by the final score, ASU dominated throughout Sunday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Similar to the previous two games, the scoring started early, with the Buckeyes scoring in the opening inning. But the resilience of this Sun Devils squad is unmatched, responding immediately with their two best offensive weapons: redshirt sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton and Graduate Student Josiah Cromwick.
The duo homered in the bottom of the first to capture the lead 3-2. It’s the second homer for Compton and Cromwick, starting the year with a bang.
Straight Outta Muni.@BrandonCompton_ goes yard for the second day in a row and we are tied.
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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 16, 2025
On the day, Compton and Cromick combined for four hits (two doubles, two homers) and six RBIs to absolutely balloon ASU’s lead 10-2 through five innings. In this opening series against Ohio State, the two Sun Devils combined for 17 RBIs, showcasing that they are the engine for this high-power offense.
ASU started the day better defensively, with sophomore right-hander Jaden Alba on the bump. Alba pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs and three strikeouts. He got out of multiple high-pressure situations, notably based loaded with one out in the fourth inning that resulted in zero runs.
However, once head coach Willie Bloomquist went to his bullpen, it got shaky. Freshman right-hander Jake Neely struggled with control, walking two batters and allowing an RBI single to sophomore infielder Lee Ellis. Bloomquist tried to stop the bleeding, calling for sophomore left-hander Bradyn Barnes, but again, control was an issue, throwing two wild pitches that led to the Buckeyes scoring two more runs to cut the deficit to 10-7.
Just when the momentum seemed to favor Ohio State, it would have an ultimate meltdown in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Buckeyes had four walks, three pitchers, three throwing errors, and one hit by pitch. ASU scored three runs without recording a single hit, extending the lead to 13-7. Defensive miscues plagued each team this weekend, with the Sun Devils able to power through them to win while the Buckeyes drowned in their mistakes.
Sometimes you're the bird.
Sometimes you're the statue.
Today, we fly ????️ pic.twitter.com/n4tYEHSN2r
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 16, 2025
Ohio State responded with back-to-back homers in the eighth, but again the bottom half of the inning had terrible defense on the mound and in the field that gifted ASU another four runs to close out the game 17-10.
Ohio State finished the day with six errors, five wild pitches and allowing six unearned runs. When ASU is hitting like it has this weekend, there is a small probability of winning with that many mistakes. The Sun Devils complete the opening series sweep against the Buckeyes and look to continue their winning streak tomorrow, playing Austin Peay at Phoenix Municipal Phoenix Stadium.
ASU Brandon Compton nullifies defensive mistakes to Ohio State in 7-6 win
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
