TEMPE – Arizona State baseball went yard five times in its 9-2 series-clinching win over Oral Roberts, including two from junior infielder Nu’u Contrandes. The Hawaii native has hit three home runs in the past two games and is one of the many ASU power hitters on this lineup, making it impossible to pitch against.
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Arizona State infielder Nu’u Contrades (6) drops his bat after an RBI single against Ohio State during the second inning at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Feb. 16, 2025.
Contrades started the home run trout early in the bottom of the first, giving the Sun Devils the lead. Then, ASU waited until the fifth to strike again, this time from senior infielder Jacob Tobias. His homer would start a chain reaction in the following three innings with having an ASU batter homer.
The sixth, seventh, and eighth innings saw Sun Devils go long, including Junior outfielder Kien Vu hitting his second of the year. Not to be outdone, graduate student catcher Josiah Cromwick joined after the seventh-inning stretch with a 400+ bomb, his fourth of the year. And just in case you forgot about him, Contrades ended the day as he started it with a homer over centerfield.
Deja Nu'u.
Second of the game. Third of the weekend.
9-2, good guys, B8. pic.twitter.com/rqk5NB3Tzj
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 23, 2025
ASU has hit 14 home runs this season, which is tied for the most in Division 1 baseball.
While the homers are on the marquee, the Sun Devils thrived behind multiple great performances on the mound, led by starting sophomore right-hander Jaden Alba. Pitching has been unpredictable for ASU this season, but the underclassman stepped up big time on the bump. Alba pitched five innings, only allowing two runs and six strikeouts.
Arizona State pitcher Jaden Alba (12) celebrates after getting out of a bases-loaded jam against Ohio State during the fourth inning at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Feb. 16, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Sunday didn’t start great for Alba, loading the bases in the first inning with no outs. However, the sophomore right-hander didn’t panic and forced three straight outs to escape the inning, including two strikeouts to end the frame. Alba helped ASU strand 10 Oral Roberts base runner in the game, not folding under the pressure.
Have a day, @jaden_alba!
The youngster with a 1-2-3 fifth, capped with his sixth punchout of the game.
3-2, Devils, M5.
???? ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/xd50ISl7yi
— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 23, 2025
ASU heads to LA for its first road trip of the season, where it’ll play UCLA in a two-game series starting Tuesday.
ASU offense explodes in bounce back win to Oral Roberts 12-5
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
