What the ASU baseball team did Tuesday in Tucson won’t have as much effect this weekend in the Pacific Northwest as what it didn’t do.
In the fourth inning of a 10-5 victory over rival UA, both dugouts cleared after a Wildcat hitter was struck for the second time in the game, resulting in a heated exchange of words at first base.
But that’s as far as the confrontation got.
Much to the chagrin of the No. 6 Sun Devils’ (22-6, 5-1 Pac-10) opponent this weekend, Oregon State, no ASU players were ejected.
Based on conference rules, if an athlete is tossed from a game, he is automatically suspended for the following series.
“If we had guys pushing and shoving, they’d all be gone,” ASU senior outfielder Matt Newman said. “Not getting anyone thrown out is huge. It showed a lot of maturity that no one went out there throwing punches. You have to stand your ground, but we didn’t get out of hand.”
Because ASU kept its cool, the Sun Devils will be out in full force when they head to Corvallis for a three-game series with the No. 19 Beavers (21-7, 2-1 Pac-10).
The Sun Devils took two of three from OSU a season ago in Tempe.
On the hill for ASU will be the weekend rotation of Brady Rodgers (4-1, 2.33 ERA), Kramer Champlin (4-1, 2.70 ERA) and Jake Barrett (3-2, 4.46 ERA).
The Beavers will likely counter with Sam Gaviglio (5-1, 1.05 ERA), Josh Osich (4-0, 3.00 ERA) and Ben Wetzler (4-1, 4.15 ERA).
Last weekend against UA, Gaviglio gave up 10 runs, four earned, in five innings in an 18-0 loss to the Wildcats.
OSU won the remaining two games in Tucson and defeated Portland 11-1 Tuesday to enter the weekend with a three-game winning streak.
The Beavers will be without sophomore Andrew Susac because of a hand injury. Susac leads his team in batting with a .364 mark and 25 RBIs.
For the Sun Devils, their offense is starting to hit its midseason stride.
In March, most of the ASU production came from the bottom of the lineup, courtesy of Sun Devils like Austin Barnes and Andrew Aplin.
But as the calendar turned, the bats of the ASU veterans began to come to life.
“Our lineup is starting to click,” Newman said. “We have guys up and down starting to produce and string hits together, and it’s nice to see that.”
ASU sophomore shortstop and freshman All-American from a year ago Deven Marrero has eight hits in his last 17 at-bats.
“I’m starting to heat up a little bit,” he said. “We have incredible players and that’s why our team is so special. We don’t just depend on one guy.”
Even when the Sun Devils are making outs, they are putting pressure on the opposing defense, eventually causing miscues and extra opportunities.
Against UA Tuesday, ASU forced four Wildcat errors.
“You put the ball in play and we have a fast team,” Newman said. “So the other team has to get rid of the ball quick, and that creates errors.”
Reach the reporter at tyler.emerick@asu.edu
