ASU Jack Martinez dominates in 3-1 win over Gonzaga

Credit: Arizona State Athletic Department

TEMPE –Off the backs of Arizona State baseball’s junior left-hander Ben Jacobs’ 1-hit gem on Friday, senior right-hander Jack Martinez had to one-up his teammate the next day. Martinez’s start on the mound against Gonzaga was an unreal display of dominance. ASU’s right-hander worked 7.0 innings for zero runs, one hit, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. The Bulldogs entered this series averaging over seven runs in their past three games, but after two games in Tempe, the program has only scored two runs against the Sun Devils aces. ASU clinched the series off the backs of Martinez’s stellar start in a 3-1 win over Gonzaga.

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Martinez started the game by retiring the first six Bulldogs batters in his electric start, including striking out the side in the second inning. Through the first two innings alone, Martinez had five strikeouts. The Corpus Christi, Texas native leads ASU’s arms in strikeouts on the season with 35 after Saturday’s stint.

Just your casual five strikeouts through six batters.

Jack Martinez rolling early.

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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 9, 2025

The right-hander was on no-hitter watch deep into the seventh inning, but on a full count with two outs, sophomore Mikey Bell hits a strong single that got down to get his club’s first hit. Martinez got out of the frame without any more damage and put a bow on a signature start at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Saturday’s performance brought Martinez’s ERA down by nearly a whole run and currently stands at 3.37 on the year.

While Gonzaga struggled to get any contact with the ball, so did ASU. The Sun Devils entered the sixth inning with one hit against Bulldogs’ starting sophomore left-hander Miles Gosztola. However, the club’s struggles didn’t stifle its confidence and led to an explosion to start the sixth frame.

ASU hit back-to-back singles to start the inning, and one hit by pitch later would load the bases for redshirt sophomore Brandon Compton. The Golden Spikes Watchlist member had struck out twice early and was eager to redeem himself, which Compton did with a chopped two-run RBI single over junior second baseman Hudson Shupe to score the game’s first runs.

Devils break through!

B-Comp gets just enough of this one to plate two runs.

2-0, good guys. Bases still loaded with one out ion the sixth as the Bulldogs go to the pen.

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— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) March 9, 2025

A RBI groundout by junior infielder Nu’u Contrades gave ASU the 3-0 lead over Gonzaga after the sixth inning. Bloomquist’s lineup had delivered again, but after pulling Martinez, he would have to go to the inconsistent bullpen. Throughout the season, the Sun Devils’ arms have given fans heart attacks with blown saves or other major turbulences on the mound.

And again, Deja Vu for ASU, as its bullpen loaded the bases in the ninth inning with one out. Bloomquist went with sophomore right-hander Derek Schaefer for damage control to get the program out of the jam, which he delivered. After an RBI groundout by Bell, Schaefer threw a three-pitch strikeout to get the final out in ASU’s 3-1 win over Gonzaga.

The Sun Devils stand at 11-4 and will have a chance for their second sweep of the season on Sunday against the Bulldogs at Phoenix Municipal Stadium with 1 pm first pitch.

ASU Ben Jacobs pitches absolute gem in 11-1 win over Gonzaga

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