The ASU baseball team is worn out.
Eight straight road games, a six-game losing streak and two mid-week games will do that. And although they get to play at home for the first time since Feb. 7, things aren't getting much easier for the Sun Devils.
ASU will host No. 8 Baylor this weekend in their sixth straight game against a top-10 opponent.
After playing their first seven games at home, the Sun Devils were originally looking forward to going out and getting some experience on the road. It's safe to say they are happy to be back.
"It's nice to be able to just sleep in my own bed," senior right-hander Jason Urquidez said.
Sophomore right-hander Zechry Zinicola will start tonight for ASU, followed by right-hander Pat Bresnehan on Saturday and southpaw Erik Averill on Sunday.
ASU coach Pat Murphy has moved Averill, the team's most consistent pitcher, to the final game because of its importance.
Senior third baseman Joey Hooft is not expected to play against Baylor. Hooft injured his hamstring running out a ground ball against UA Wednesday.
"He's a key to the top of the lineup -- he gets things started for us," senior catcher Tuffy Gosewisch said. "It's going to be a big loss, but we can't really worry about it. If he's not in there, we have to keep playing anyways."
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
