Sun Devils miss opportunities cost them in 7-6 loss to Minnesota

Syndication: Arizona Republic

PHOENIX –Arizona State baseball is down one run in the bottom of the tenth inning. ASU can load the bases with zero outs and looks primed to tie the game or walk it off in Phoenix Municipal Stadium. However, back-to-back three-ball counts equaled outs, while a strikeout looking led the Sun Devils to leave the base loaded and lose the game.

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It was a poetic ending for a game filled with missed opportunities for head coach Willie Bloomquist’s squad. ASU left 11 baserunners on, gifted four double plays, and was a strike away from winning the game in the bottom of the ninth, but allowed a game-tying triple to send it into extras and Minnesota’s 7-6 win.

ASU couldn’t get anything going at the plate because of sophomore right-hander Cole Selving. Throughout his five-inning outing, Selving’s mantra was bend, don’t break. The right-hander allowed 10 Sun Devil baserunners and only allowed one earned run. Selving thrives at forcing weak contact, and ASU batters continue to swing at pitches outside the zone for weak dribblers to the stellar Minnesota infielder, forcing two double plays.

The Sun Devils found success early in the second inning, scoring two runs, but as the game progressed, the more comfortable Selving was on the mound.

Conversely, ASU starting junior left-hander Ben Jacobs had a similar start to Selving. The Golden Spikes watch list member kept his composure on the bump, allowing seven base runners but only allowing two runs through five innings. However, the difference between the two was Jacobs entered the sixth, which proved costly. With the game tied, junior Drew Berkland crushed a 2-run homer over the center field wall.

Minnesota had all the momentum, boasting a three-run lead after the 7th-inning stretch. However, ASU’s electric offense wouldn’t go without a fight. Despite struggling to generate hits all game, the Sun Devils didn’t grow impatient, waiting for the right pitches. The Gophers’ bullpen struggled with its control, walking the bases loaded and eventually walking in a run with zero outs.

Redshirt Sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton didn’t let the opportunity go to waste with an RBI single to bring the deficit within one. While senior infielder Jacob Tobias hit the best double play you can, driving in the game-tying run, making it 5-5.

Here come the Devils.

RBI single from B-Comp gets us back within a run.

Bases still juiced.

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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 1, 2025

ASU had flipped the game in half an inning. So, it wasn’t surprising at their next opportunity to bat, senior infielder Matt King smashed an eighth-inning opening double to continue the Sun Devils hot streak.

Bloomquist went with freshman Ky McGary to pinch run, which turned out to be effective, as a stolen base and a sac-fly by redshirt junior Kyle Walker allowed McGary to get home and take back the lead for ASU.

At last, the lead wouldn’t last long. The Sun Devils bullpen has been hit-or-miss this season, and tonight was the latter. Bloomquist went with junior right-hander Lucas Kelly to secure the save and fell one strike shot, as senior outfielder Parker Knoll hit the game-tying RBI triple, sending the game into extra innings.

Minnesota didn’t waste time, as in the tenth inning, redshirt senior outfielder Josh Fitzgerald hit a two-out solo homer to give his team the lead, and eventually the 7-6 win.

ASU had ample amount of chances to start off its seven-game home stand on the right track, but lose in heartbreaking fashion to Minnesota. The Sun Devils will have an opportunity to avenge their loss tomorrow at 6:30 pm against the Gophers.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports