TEMPE – Arizona State baseball had a rare stellar day from its bullpen against UNLV in the midweek game, and the bats responded big time. Notably, Junior outfielder Kien Vu homered twice on Tuesday. Vu is one of the many ASU bats that have exploded early in the season. The third-year Sun Devil has four of the club’s 21 home runs in 2025, which is top 15 nationally in Division 1. ASU’s power continues to be the saving grace of the club, lifting them over UNLV 7-0.
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Arizona State outfielder Kien Vu (11) makes a catch against Ohio State during the first inning at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Feb. 16, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Vu made up two of the Sun Devils three home runs on the day, the other being redshirt sophomore outfielder Brandon Compton’s third of the year in the fifth inning. ASU only held a measly 1-o lead entering the third when Vu, on a full count, went 400+ feet over the right-center scoreboard to create some much-needed separation, 2-0.
Outside of the junior outfielder, the Sun Devils weren’t getting any solid contact Rebels’ arms. ASU only got two baserunners on when Vu got back up to bat in the fifth, where he went opposite field over the left-center wall for his second moonshot. Compton, wanting his own home trout, spiked the ball quickly over the right wall a batter later to give the Sun Devils the 4-0 lead.
Vu ???? Compton ➡️Getting two home runs in one inning against a 5th-year pitcher with just two long balls allowed in 58-game career.
4-0, Devils, after 5.
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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 5, 2025
Head coach Willie Bloomquist went with a bullpen day for the midweek game and surprisingly had freshman left-hander Max Arlich get the start. Tuesday was Arlich’s first collegiate appearance, and Bloomquist trusted him against a talented UNLV offense. Alrich didn’t disappoint, going 2.0 innings with two strikeouts. However, the freshman faced turbulence in the second inning as the Rebels loaded the bases with two outs. Alrich didn’t panic, as on a full count, the Sun Devil left-hander caught senior outfielder Elijah Rodriguez looking to end the inning.
Bringing some of the freeze ???? from the Minnesota tundra. @ArlichMax strands the bases loaded to escape his first jam as a Sun Devil.
1-0, Devils, M2.
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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 5, 2025
The freshman set the tone for ASU on the mound, as redshirt senior right-hander Jonah Giblin and sophomore left-hander Cole Caron followed suit, fanning past UNLV batters. In 5.0 innings of work, the duo combined for eight strikeouts and two hits. Tuesday was a clinic on the bump for the Sun Devils, who stranded 10 Rebels baserunners.
ASU’s new head baseball coach,Willie Bloomquist, speaks to the media during ASU Baseball’s first official media day ahead of practice on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Bloomquist got a stellar day from his bullpen, and ASU’s power continues to be elite. The Sun Devils would add three more runs in the back half innings, including Vu’s third RBI of the day in the sixth on a Sac Fly, as the club secured the dominate 7-0 shutout win over UNLV. ASU stays at Phoenix Municipal Stadium for a three-game series against Gonzaga, starting on Friday.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
