FORT WORTH – The Sun Devil Baseball bats came alive in historic fashion on Saturday afternoon, routing TCU 26-9 to force a rubber match Sunday in Fort Worth.
ASU's 26 runs were tied for the most-ever allowed by the historic Horned Frogs' program and the most for the Sun Devils (13-6, 1-1 Big 12) in a conference game since 2000. ASU recorded 28 hits in the contest, the most given up by TCU in a game in program history.
After consecutive 3-2 losses on Tuesday and Friday at Arizona and TCU, the offense wasted no time rectifying its woes on Saturday. Kyle Walker led the game off with a home run - one of five for the Sun Devils in the game - and ASU scored in eight of nine innings with multiple runs in five of those.
ASU jumped out to a 10-0 lead through just two innings and truly blew the game open with a nine-run fourth inning - with eight of the runs being scored with two outs.
Isaiah Jackson homered twice while Walker, Brandon Compton and Josiah Cromwick each added one. Seven different Sun Devils recorded at least three hits and of the 14 players that played, 12 recorded hits. Jackson and Cromwick led the way with six and five RBIs, respectively.
Lost in the offensive explosion was yet another exceptional effort on the mound by starter Jack Martinez. The senior - who frequently found himself sitting in the dugout for 20-30 minutes at a time while the offense rolled - remained locked in when it was his time to shine. Martinez recorded 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts and just one walk, allowing only two hits with no runs. Max Arlich added 1.1 scoreless innings of relief himself.
The Sun Devils will look to take the rubber match tomorrow at Lupton Stadium and earn a victory in the team's first Big 12 Conference series, beginning at 10 a.m. AZT (2 p.m. local time).
TURNING POINT
Kyle Walker set the tone for the entire game as he was moved to the leadoff position in place of Kien Vu, who has been limited with an ankle injury. Walker responded by sending the fifth ball of the game over the left field fence for his first homer of the day, one of three hits and three RBIs he would record while scoring four runs. ASU would add three more runs in the frame to make it 4-0 and Jack Martinez responded with a scoreless bottom half of the frame to halt any ideas of a TCU rally.
BIG MOMENT
The offense didn't settle for the early lead, adding six runs in the second and then exploding for nine runs in the fourth - eight of which came with two outs - to make it 20-0 through four innings. ASU's offensive surge featured five homers and six doubles while the team boosted its overall batting average 20 points to .301 on the season. The big knocks came from Isaiah Jackson, whose three–run homer off the right field foul post in the second made it 10-0 while Josiah Cromwick added a three-run homer of his own in the fourth as the duo combined for 11 RBIs in the game.
FINAL STRAW
Jack Martinez eliminated any thoughts of a TCU rally with yet another solid outing. Martinez absolutely had the TCU batters on their toes, striking out seven batters with just one walk. He allowed just two hits and no runs over 5.2 innings while the Sun Devils continued to pour runs on.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
While there was no shortage of options, the back-to-back pairing in the order of Isaiah Jackson and Josiah Cromwick combined for 11 RBIs on 7-of-11 hitting. Jackson recorded two homers while Cromwick added one of his one.
NOTABLES
First Inning
The Sun Devils wasted no time jumping on starter Mason Brassfield. Walker, in his first game in the leadoff role, rewarded the lineup shift with his first home run of the season. A double from Compton and walk from Contrades and one-out single from King loaded the bases. Jackson took a well timed offensive timeout to slow down Brassfield after falling behind in the count and responded by poking one through the opposite left side to plate Compton and make it 2-0. Cromwick also found a gap through the left side that would plate two more runs, scoring two and making it a 4-0 first inning in the process. Martinez didn't let TCU get a rally going, stranding a two-out single to keep the score there.
Second Inning
The Sun Devils weren't settling as Jax Ryan reached on an infield chopper and took second on a throwing error, scoring a couple pitches later on Walker's smoked ball past the first baseman's glove. That would lead to a pitching change but the Sun Devils weren't done there. Walker caused havoc on the bases, going on the pitch to take a double play out of contention on a Compton groundout and using some head's up base running to take third on the fielder's choice and scoring as the throw back across the diamond sailed over the third baseman's head. A Contrades walk and Tobias single put runners on the corners and King plated another with an RBI single. Jackson had the big hit of the frame with a three-run laser off the foul pole down the first base line to make it 10-0. Martinez worked around a two-out error in the bottom of the frame - ASU's first in 10 games - to keep it scoreless.
Third Inning
It was a pedestrian one-run inning for the Sun Devils as Compton legged out a two-out infield single and took second on a failed pickoff. Tobias brought him home on a two-out RBI double down the opposite left field line to make it 11-0 Martinez worked his first 1-2-3 inning of the frame.
Fourth Inning
The Sun Devils scored nine runs in the fourth inning - eight of which coming with two outs. The frame featured RBI doubles from Contrades and Tobias, a three-run homer from Josiah Cromwick and RBI singles from Waker and King. Hernandez also added his first RBI of the season on a fielder's choice. TCU got two baserunners on with a two-out double and walk and wild pitch to put runners on the corners but Compton issued a flyout to get out of it.
Fifth Inning
Walker reached on an HBP and Compton kept the offense rolling with a two-run shot to opposite left center to make it 22-0. Martinez continued to stay locked in, despite it being two outs into the game, continued to mow down opponents with another 1-2-3 frame.
Sixth Inning
Isaiah Jackson led off the sixth with his second home run of the game to keep ASU's scoring going through all six innings. Martinez worked through the first two batters of the frame before leaving the game after another exceptional game, allowing Max Arlich to spell him and pick up a strikeout after a two-out single to keep TCU off the board.
Seventh Inning
ASU added another run, loading the bases with one out and plated a run in the seventh straight inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Garza to make it 24-0.
Eighth Inning
ASU got a leadoff single from Briggs but a double play and groundout put up ASU's first zero of the game. The Sun Devils went deep into the bullpen and TCU took advantage in the form of a touchdown to make it 24-7.
Ninth Inning
ASU made it a historic outing by tacking on two runs on a bases loaded HBP and RBI fielder's choice, setting a mark for the most runs ever allowed by TCU in a home team and tying the mark for most runs allowed in Horned Frog history.
ASU's 26 runs were tied for the most-ever allowed by the historic Horned Frogs' program and the most for the Sun Devils (13-6, 1-1 Big 12) in a conference game since 2000. ASU recorded 28 hits in the contest, the most given up by TCU in a game in program history.
After consecutive 3-2 losses on Tuesday and Friday at Arizona and TCU, the offense wasted no time rectifying its woes on Saturday. Kyle Walker led the game off with a home run - one of five for the Sun Devils in the game - and ASU scored in eight of nine innings with multiple runs in five of those.
ASU jumped out to a 10-0 lead through just two innings and truly blew the game open with a nine-run fourth inning - with eight of the runs being scored with two outs.
Isaiah Jackson homered twice while Walker, Brandon Compton and Josiah Cromwick each added one. Seven different Sun Devils recorded at least three hits and of the 14 players that played, 12 recorded hits. Jackson and Cromwick led the way with six and five RBIs, respectively.
Lost in the offensive explosion was yet another exceptional effort on the mound by starter Jack Martinez. The senior - who frequently found himself sitting in the dugout for 20-30 minutes at a time while the offense rolled - remained locked in when it was his time to shine. Martinez recorded 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts and just one walk, allowing only two hits with no runs. Max Arlich added 1.1 scoreless innings of relief himself.
The Sun Devils will look to take the rubber match tomorrow at Lupton Stadium and earn a victory in the team's first Big 12 Conference series, beginning at 10 a.m. AZT (2 p.m. local time).
TURNING POINT
Kyle Walker set the tone for the entire game as he was moved to the leadoff position in place of Kien Vu, who has been limited with an ankle injury. Walker responded by sending the fifth ball of the game over the left field fence for his first homer of the day, one of three hits and three RBIs he would record while scoring four runs. ASU would add three more runs in the frame to make it 4-0 and Jack Martinez responded with a scoreless bottom half of the frame to halt any ideas of a TCU rally.
BIG MOMENT
The offense didn't settle for the early lead, adding six runs in the second and then exploding for nine runs in the fourth - eight of which came with two outs - to make it 20-0 through four innings. ASU's offensive surge featured five homers and six doubles while the team boosted its overall batting average 20 points to .301 on the season. The big knocks came from Isaiah Jackson, whose three–run homer off the right field foul post in the second made it 10-0 while Josiah Cromwick added a three-run homer of his own in the fourth as the duo combined for 11 RBIs in the game.
FINAL STRAW
Jack Martinez eliminated any thoughts of a TCU rally with yet another solid outing. Martinez absolutely had the TCU batters on their toes, striking out seven batters with just one walk. He allowed just two hits and no runs over 5.2 innings while the Sun Devils continued to pour runs on.
PLAYER(S) OF THE GAME
While there was no shortage of options, the back-to-back pairing in the order of Isaiah Jackson and Josiah Cromwick combined for 11 RBIs on 7-of-11 hitting. Jackson recorded two homers while Cromwick added one of his one.
NOTABLES
- The 26 runs were tied for the most allowed by a TCU team in Horned Frog program history (also 26 vs. SW Missouri State in 1990) and the most allowed in a TCU home game ever. The 28 hits were the most allowed by TCU in a game ever.
- The 26 runs were tied for the most at ASU since scoring 26 against Northern Illinois on Feb. 20, 2010. It was the most against a Power Conference opponent since scoring 32 against Arizona on March 4, 2000. It was also the most scored in a conference game since that Arizona game in 2000.
- ASU plated 11 runs in the first three innings alone - matching the most TCU had allowed in a game this season and made it the most runs in the fourth when it plated its 12th run of the game.
- The Sun Devils' five home runs were tied for the sixth-most in a single game since the 1998 season.
- TCU starter Mason Brassfield had given up just one homer and one double all season in over 14.1 innings and five appearances entering the afternoon. He gave one of each up on the first two batters of the game with Kyle Walker's leadoff big fly and Compton's double.
- Brassfield entered the game with a 1.26 ERA and had allowed just two earned runs all season before giving up six to ASU in just 1.0 innings today.
- Nu'u Contrades has reached base safely in all 19 games this season and has reached in 27 consecutive games dating back to his freshman season after reaching in all five games in his injury shortened sophomore campaign and the last three of 2023.
- Brandon Compton extended his team-leading hitting streak to eight games - the longest for a Sun Devil this season. Kyle Walker is right behind him with an active seven-game hitting streak.
- ASU had its seven-game streak without an error ended in the second inning - its longest streak since a nine-game stretch to conclude the 2015 season.
- Big innings have been the theme of ASU's season as the team has now scored in 66 halves of an inning on the year and have plated two or more runs in 41 of those.
- The Sun Devils have 24 innings this season scoring at least three runs, eight with 4+ and five with 5+.
- Jacob Tobias added two RBIs to bring his team-leading total to 22. He now has 44 RBIs in his last 25 games dating back to last season.
- With 12 strikeouts, the Sun Devil pitchers struck out double digit batters for the 12th time in 19 games.
- ASU has outscored teams 18-2 in the first inning of games over the last 14 games after giving up seven first inning runs in the first five games.
First Inning
The Sun Devils wasted no time jumping on starter Mason Brassfield. Walker, in his first game in the leadoff role, rewarded the lineup shift with his first home run of the season. A double from Compton and walk from Contrades and one-out single from King loaded the bases. Jackson took a well timed offensive timeout to slow down Brassfield after falling behind in the count and responded by poking one through the opposite left side to plate Compton and make it 2-0. Cromwick also found a gap through the left side that would plate two more runs, scoring two and making it a 4-0 first inning in the process. Martinez didn't let TCU get a rally going, stranding a two-out single to keep the score there.
Second Inning
The Sun Devils weren't settling as Jax Ryan reached on an infield chopper and took second on a throwing error, scoring a couple pitches later on Walker's smoked ball past the first baseman's glove. That would lead to a pitching change but the Sun Devils weren't done there. Walker caused havoc on the bases, going on the pitch to take a double play out of contention on a Compton groundout and using some head's up base running to take third on the fielder's choice and scoring as the throw back across the diamond sailed over the third baseman's head. A Contrades walk and Tobias single put runners on the corners and King plated another with an RBI single. Jackson had the big hit of the frame with a three-run laser off the foul pole down the first base line to make it 10-0. Martinez worked around a two-out error in the bottom of the frame - ASU's first in 10 games - to keep it scoreless.
Third Inning
It was a pedestrian one-run inning for the Sun Devils as Compton legged out a two-out infield single and took second on a failed pickoff. Tobias brought him home on a two-out RBI double down the opposite left field line to make it 11-0 Martinez worked his first 1-2-3 inning of the frame.
Fourth Inning
The Sun Devils scored nine runs in the fourth inning - eight of which coming with two outs. The frame featured RBI doubles from Contrades and Tobias, a three-run homer from Josiah Cromwick and RBI singles from Waker and King. Hernandez also added his first RBI of the season on a fielder's choice. TCU got two baserunners on with a two-out double and walk and wild pitch to put runners on the corners but Compton issued a flyout to get out of it.
Fifth Inning
Walker reached on an HBP and Compton kept the offense rolling with a two-run shot to opposite left center to make it 22-0. Martinez continued to stay locked in, despite it being two outs into the game, continued to mow down opponents with another 1-2-3 frame.
Sixth Inning
Isaiah Jackson led off the sixth with his second home run of the game to keep ASU's scoring going through all six innings. Martinez worked through the first two batters of the frame before leaving the game after another exceptional game, allowing Max Arlich to spell him and pick up a strikeout after a two-out single to keep TCU off the board.
Seventh Inning
ASU added another run, loading the bases with one out and plated a run in the seventh straight inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Garza to make it 24-0.
Eighth Inning
ASU got a leadoff single from Briggs but a double play and groundout put up ASU's first zero of the game. The Sun Devils went deep into the bullpen and TCU took advantage in the form of a touchdown to make it 24-7.
Ninth Inning
ASU made it a historic outing by tacking on two runs on a bases loaded HBP and RBI fielder's choice, setting a mark for the most runs ever allowed by TCU in a home team and tying the mark for most runs allowed in Horned Frog history.