Late-inning homers lift Ducks over Sun Devils

By Scott Mammoser

April 13, 2018

TEMPE, Ariz. - After what began as a classic pitchers’ duel for the first four innings, the No. 3 Oregon softball team outlasted No. 7 Arizona State, 5-0, on Friday night at Farrington Stadium. Both teams now stand at 33-6, with the Ducks (8-2) one game ahead of ASU (7-3) in the Pacific-12 Conference.

Oregon shortstop DJ Sanders scored in the top of the fifth after throwing interference at first base. Then, centerfielder Shannon Rhodes scored Alexis Mack from second base, but she was then thrown out at second herself to end the inning.

As the wind speed picked up around the ballpark, freshman designated player Mary Iakopo smashed a two-run home run to right to score Gwen Skevis. Skevis reached third on the previous play when two Sun Devil fielders collided trying to make the catch. Jenna Lilley added a solo shot in the top of the seventh for insurance.

Oregon junior Megan Kleist, who has a 0.87 ERA and 13-4 record on the season, fanned 10 batters, while ASU sophomore Giselle Juarez retired five from the mound.

“That’s sometimes that’s just how the ball goes, and they got lucky on a few pitches,” Juarez said. “It (the high wind) shouldn’t be a factor, but sometimes it just takes the ball, and it kept taking it on us and not them.”

ASU coach Trisha Ford remains confident in her ace, who despite the loss is a brilliant 17-2 on the season.

“She still threw well, we need to put up some runs for her,” Ford said. “She threw pitches when we needed her to make some big pitches, and she’s going to learn a lot. I’m excited to see what she’s going to look like on Sunday. I think she’ll respond really well, I have a lot of faith in that kid; she’s been our horse and responded in these types of situations before. My money is always on her.”

This was the second time the Sun Devils were shut out this season, joining a 6-0 loss to No. 1 Washington on March 18. The series continues at 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.

“We need to follow up every single inning and put runs on the board,” said ASU freshman first baseman Danielle Gibson, who was 2-for-3 on Friday. “We need to get runners on base in every single inning, and we didn’t do that, as well. They fought harder than we did.”

Devils Lose Series to Pac-12 Rival Trojans

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

PHOENIX, AZ (April 8, 2018) - The Arizona State University Sun Devils hosted Pac-12 rival, the University of Southern California Trojans for a three game series over a beautiful, warm weekend at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on April 6,7,and 8.

The Devils took game one on Friday night, April 6, 2018, by a score 5-1 led by Gage Canning's two RBI and .425 batting average.

On Saturday April 7, the Trojans scored 10 runs by the sixth inning, led by Ben Ramirez's two hits and four RBI giving the Pac-12 South rival the 10-1 win which tied up the series 1-1 going into Sunday's game.

In Sunday's game, the Trojans get on the board in the top of the first inning when Lars Nootbaar hit an RBI single scoring Brandon Perez, who got on base after hitting a triple to deep center field. In the third inning, Perez scores again on an RBI Double, giving Trojans 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Carter Aldrete hit a home run over the right field fence, making the score 2-1 in favor of the Trojans.

In the top of the fifth, the Trojans increased the lead 3-1 after an error in left field allowed a runner to get to third who scored the next swing on a sacrifice fly.

With runners on the corners in the top of the sixth, the Trojans laid down a bunt which gave runner on third base enough time to slide under the catcher's glove, putting the

Trojans up 4-1. By the end of the inning, Trojans had 8 hits, and led 5-1.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Devils put another run on the board when Gage Workman hit a home run over right field fence.

The Trojans added five hits and three runs in the eight inning before Devils could force an out.

The Devils' home run leader Spencer Torkelson hit his 15th home run of the season in the eight inning.

The Devils finished the game with nine hits - three were home runs. The Trojans had fourteen hits, no errors, and won the series with a final score in game three of 8-4.

After this series, the Trojans (16-12) travel to Tuscon next for a three game Pac-12 Conference series against Arizona Wildcats, April 13-15.

The Devils (14-18) travel to Las Vegas, NV to take on UNLV on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:05pm MST.

Devils Roast the Ducks in Weekend Series

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

PHOENIX, AZ (March 18, 2018) - The Arizona State University Sun Devils hosted and roasted the Oregon Ducks in a three game Pac-12 series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium that took place March 16-18, 2018.

On Friday, the Ducks led going into the bottom of the 8th inning when the Devils loaded the bases with 2 outs, trailing 4-3. Gage Canning stepped up to the plate and hit a 3 RBI triple to deep center field followed by Lin Lyle's RBI single, giving the Devils a 7-4 lead.  They hold on to win 7-4, with 8 hits, one error to the Ducks' 7 hits and 2 errors.

Saturday was a hitter's night for the Devils with 20 hits, leaving only six runners on base giving them the second win of the three game series. This was the first sweep of the season against a Pac-12 team.  Canning led the charge going 5 for 5 at the plate, 4 RBI and two home runs. On his second home run of the evening, Canning's speed and fast moving feet allowed him to get around the bases on a rare in the park home run, giving the Devils a boost in their 18-4 victory over the Ducks.

In the final game of the series, Canning led the game with a single, his 18th consecutive game this season with a hit. He scored on an RBI single giving the Devils an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the third inning,  the Devils add two more runs, making the score 3-0. By the top of the seventh inning, the Devils had 12 hits and led 6-1. The Devils finished the third game with 13 hits and three errors to sweep the Ducks all three games.


The Ducks (12-6, 0-2 Pac-12) host California in a Pac-12 matchup Friday, March 23 at 6:00 pm.

The Devils (10-9, 2-0 Pac-12) hosts UNLV Tuesday evening, 6:30 pm on March 20, 2018 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Devils Lose Series Against Gaels

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (February 25, 2018) In the second week of the 2018 baseball season, the Arizona State University Sun Devils lose two of three games to Saint Mary's Gaels at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, falling 6-1 on Friday February 23, 6-5 on Saturday February 24, and on Sunday get their only win, defeating the Gaels 2-1.  

Game one on Friday evening ended with a victory for the visiting Gaels by a score of 6 - 1. Devils' Gage Canning, who started the weekend needing four more triples to reach 20 for his career, went 4 for 4 at the plate for the Devils.

Devils lose series to Gaels of Saint Mary's

In game two, the Gaels jumped to an early lead scoring three runs in the first inning on four hits. In the bottom of the second inning, Devils' DH Spencer Torkelson hit his forth home run of the season, putting the Devils on the board. Hunter Bishop followed up with a single, scoring on a single by Trevor Hauver who scored on a single by Alika Williams. Canning hit an RBI triple. He scored on the next pitch when a perfect bunt allowed Canning to score.  The Devils led 5-3 until the eighth inning. In the top of the eighth, Gaels' Dylan Robertson, jr slams a two run home run over left field fence, tying the game 5-5. In the top of the ninth, with runners in scoring position, a wild pitch allowed the winning run to score, giving the Gaels the second win of the series - a 6-5 victory.

On Sunday, the final game of the series, Lyle Lin hit a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning putting the Devils on the board first. In the top of the sixth inning, the Gaels senior Jackson Thorelson scored from second base on a single to right field by Austin Chauvin. In the bottom of the sixth, Canning singled to right center, scoring Gage Workman with the go ahead run 2-1. The Devils win the final game 2-1 with seven hits to Gaels' five.

Boyd Vander Kooi pitches 7.2 innings, gets standing ovation

This is Devils freshman pitcher Boyd Vander Kooi's second win of the season. As he walked off the field after throwing 7. innings, allowing four hits, 1 run, with an era 0.61 the fans gave him a huge standing ovation.

In the post game conference, Coach Tracy Smith stated 'we had a lot of growth yesterday but we didn't win. Today, we won.', and finished with this comment on pitcher Vander Kooi's performance 'He's loose, he's got the persona that there's not a lot going on up there (pointing to his head), but trust me, there is.'. 

The Gaels host Xavier for a three game series on March 2-4 in Moraga, Calif. Game times are 2 p.m. on Friday, 1 p.m. on Saturday  and Sunday.

The Devils ( travel to Long Beach State for the first road trip of the season. The Devils will play two games, the first on Tuesday, Feb 27 at 6:00 p.m. and the second game on Wednesday, Feb 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Devils Win Two of Four Game Opening Weekend Against the RedHawks

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (February 17, 2018) - The 2018 college baseball season started February 17-18 with a four game series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium between the Arizona State University Sun Devils and the visiting Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.

Fans were treated to perfect baseball weather. It never reached above 72 or dipped below 67 degrees.

Photo by Tony Espinoza

The RedHawks won the first game of the series by a score of 4 - 2 on Saturday afternoon.  The Devils were plagued with three errors in the game, coming at inopportune times while the RedHawks produced only one error and six hits.  RedHawks pitcher Nick Ernst, a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio was the winning pitcher with six innings pitched, allowing four hits, one run, and six strike outs.

In game two, the Devils scored first when Freshman Spencer Torkelson hit his first career home run in the bottom of the second inning, clearing the 410 ft center field fence. In the top of the third, Dallas Hall singled up the middle for an RBI followed by a two run home run by Ross Haffey putting the RedHawks up 3-1. In the bottom of the 4th, the Devils' sophomore catcher Lyle Lin hit a home run over the left field wall followed by Torkelson's home run over the same wall tying the score, 3-3. In the bottom of the 6th, Jeremy McCuin reached base safely while scoring two unearned runs by Scott Mehan and Carter Aldrete. McCuin scored on a bunt perfectly executed by Drew Swift. This made the score 6-3. The last score of the game came in the bottom of the 7th. Carter Aldrete hit a triple up middle to center field, scoring when Lin singled to center field making the final score 7-3.

Photo by Tony Espinoza

Lin is now 9-for-16 in his career in games played on Opening Day (DH today, DH last year) with 5 RBI, 3 runs scored and a home run.

In the third game, the first game of the double header on Sunday, the Devils started early, scoring two runs in the first inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Devils extended the lead when Gage Canning knocked in two runs on a single to left field. In the seventh, the Devils ended the game by adding five runs, putting the rarely seen 10-run rule into effect, winning 11-1.

In the final game of the series, the Devils jump on the board first but the RedHawks score eight in the top of the second to take the lead. In the bottom of the sixth, the Devils scored three runs on wild pitches, shrinking the RedHawks lead to 9-6. In the top of seventh, the RedHawks added three runs, which increased the lead to 12-6. The Devils added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when Torkelson hit a 2 RBI double to CF wall. The RedHawks added four runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach for the Devils, winning 16-8.

Photo by Mike Stockman

During one of the post game press conferences, Devils Coach Tracy Smith, a four-year letter winner at Miami (Ohio) as a pitcher and an infielder for the RedHawks, was asked what he thought of Lyle Lin's efforts at the plate in the opening weekend series. He stated "One game does not make a career, or a season, but that's what he (Lyle Lin) can do. He's been showing flashes of that all spring. More importantly, I like his at bats...he has the ability to change the game".

The Devils travel across town to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Feb 21 at 1:00pm.

Territorial Cup Travels Back to Tempe After 42-30 Devil Victory

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

TEMPE, AZ (November 25, 2017) - On a beautiful Arizona fall afternoon with the temperature hitting 84 degrees, the Arizona State University Sun Devils came from behind in an exciting, high scoring, hard hitting rival game to defeat the Arizona Wildcats 42-30 in what is recognized as the nation's oldest rivalry trophy game, the Territorial Cup, on Saturday, November 25, at Sun Devil Stadium. 

N'Keal Harry had two touchdown catches in the win. 

59,385 fans from all over the state filled the stadium and would not leave until the

last play was finished and the 00's filled the clock, knowing that for the last five years the precious trophy went to the home team.  

This was also Seniors Day in which 19 Devils were recognized with their families and close friends for the contribution, hard work, and perseverance they endured for the last few seasons. 

Once the game started, fans were treated to four full quarters. The Wildcats got off to a 14 point lead on back to back drives that ended on one yard touchdown runs in the first quarter.

With just over 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the Devils' Kyle Williams scored on an 18 yard pass reception making the score 14-7.

After first quarter, the Wildcats had 111 total offense to the Sun Devils' 91.  The Wildcats' QB Tate was 6-6-0 for 62 yards to Wilkins' 4-3-0 65 yards.

The second quarter started with the Devils sacking Tate for a loss. However, the next play he scrambled for 17 yards and the first down. With 9:36 left in the half, Arizona kicked a 24 yard field goal, extending the lead to 17-7 over the hosting Devils.

On the following drive, the Devils scampered down the field and finished on the Devils' Kalan Ballage flight over the line for a one yard touchdown, making the score 17-14.

Just before the end of the half, the Wildcats' JJ Taylor sprinted 15 yards up the middle for a touchdown, extending the lead 24-14.

The Wildcats had 251 yards on 40 plays to Devils' 167 yards on 30 plays in the first half. The Devils' QB Wilkins was sacked three times to Tate's one.

After the Devils block a punt early in the third quarter, Richard scored on a pounding one yard run. The Wildcats lead was cut to 24-21.

Demario Richard (Sr) became the fifth Sun Devil to reach 3,000 yards on the ground at ASU. He finished the night with 165 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

With Tate injured on the last plays of the second quarter, the backup QB Dawkins threw an interception his first series, allowing Devils to drive inside the 20 yard line. A spectacular catch in the corner of end zone by NKeal Harry gave the Devils their first lead of the game 28-24.

Before the third quarter was over, Richard scored his second touchdown on a 6 yard run, giving a lead 35-24 over the Wildcats.

Not a seat was empty as the fourth quarter got underway. Backup QB for the Wildcats' Dawkins made up for his interception when he scrambled 50 yards for a TD, cutting the Devils' lead and quieting the student sections until the extra point attempt in which the fans in the south end zone helped out the defense with extra noise causing the two conversion to fail.

With less than five minutes left, the Devils receiver Harry showed his toe tapping skills once more in the corner of the end zone with a catch that put the Devils up 42-30, the final score.

After the game, Coach Todd Graham spoke highly of the seniors, the staff, and would not take any question on the future of his position as the head coach of the Devils. Sunday morning Coach was released.

The Wildcats end their season with a 7-5, 5-4 Pac12 record. They will be heading to the Las Vegas Holiday Bowl.

The Devils, 7-5, 6-3 finished the season 2nd in the Pac12 South, have an invitation to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas on Dec 29, 2017.

Devils Leash the Huskies in Hall of Fame Game Upset 13-7

Mike Stockman
Phoenix Area Sports

TEMPE, AZ (October 14, 2017) The Arizona State University Sun Devils' defense put a leash on the #5 Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday, October 14, in the Hall of Fame Game, upsetting the Pac-12 rival by  a score of 13-7.

ASU's defense sacked Huskies Browning six times.

The Devils welcomed eight new members into the Sun Devils Athletics Hall of Fame during Saturday's game. Alejandro Canizares (Men's Golf), Amy Hastings-Cragg (Track and Field/Cross Country), Emily Westerberg (Women's Basketball), Aaron Aguayo (Track and Field/Cross Country), Andrew Walter (Football), Jim Newman (Men's Basketball, posthumously), Ron Davini (Baseball), and Adria Engel (Women's Tennis) were honored at halftime.

Having the Hall of Famers honored before and during the game must have inspired the Devils whose offense scored first on a one yard touchdown run by Kalen Ballage. The offense produced six first downs, 82 total yards offense in the first quarter to the Huskies' 17 yards.

Brandon Ruiz connected on a career long 52 yard field goal and a 25 yard field goal making the score 13-0 mid-way through the second quarter.

By halftime, the Devils offense had 163 total yards, with Manny Wilkins completing 17-22 passes for 125 yards.  The defense played at a level not seen for quite some time, sacking Jake Browning three times, and holding the #5 Huskies to 42 total yards offense. The Devils led 13-0.

Huskies' QB needed more than his sideline's help.

In the third quarter, the Devils intensity continued as the defense kept the Huskies scoreless, adding another sack and shutting out the Huskies high powered offense for the third straight quarter.

It was not a good night for the Huskies' kicker who missed two field goals in the fourth quarter. The Devils defense added two more sacks.

With less than six minutes left in the game, the Huskies' QB Browning finally gets them on the board when he scored on a one yard sneak.

With 2 minutes left, the Devils had the ball and went for the win on a fourth down gamble pass which put the Devils on the Huskies' seven yard line where they ran out the clock for the upset.

In the post game press conference, Coach Todd Graham said "This was the best overall performance from every aspect of our team. I'm proud of our coaches and our players." He also mentioned his pleasure in seeing the fans rush the field after the victory. "That was awesome, that was the best atmosphere tonight since I've been here." He very confidently stated "We whooped them - we outplayed them.". He finished with "That was old school defense tonight".

The Huskies (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) have a bye week before hosting Pac-12 rival UCLA on October 28.

The Devils (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12) travel to Salt Lake City, Utah on Oct 21 to play the Utah Utes. Game time is TBD.