Redshirt sophomore outfielder Trever Allen has made a name with his homerun power this season, but contributed in a different way tonight for the ASU baseball team.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the first inning, Allen hit the game-winning, bases clearing triple to knock off Wichita State 4-2.
“I just wasn’t trying to do too much and since there were guys on for me, it could potentially be a big inning,” Allen said. “I just tried to get a pitch I could hit and got one and put a good barrel on it and got a triple.”
The Sun Devils (17-8-1) swept the two-game midweek series from the Shockers (16-14) and Allen said his triple was a big hit, but was overshadowed by the weather.
“Honestly, it was a great feeling, but I couldn’t really feel anything because it was so cold out,” Allen said. “I wasn’t really thinking too much about the hitting. I was thinking about how cold it was.”
Allen said Wednesday’s game was the “coldest game he had ever played in,” but that didn’t stop Sun Devil redshirt junior starter Zak Miller from recording his best start of the season.
Miller went five innings and allowed only seven hits and one run while striking out four for his first win of the season.
Allen said Miller’s performance, coupled with Billy Young’s the night before, provided a boost for the entire Sun Devil team.
“With Billy and Zak, those were two huge performances that we needed this midweek series,” Allen said.
Sophomores Mark Lambson and Darin Gillies and senior Alex Blackford came out of the bullpen to preserve the Sun Devil lead, allowing only one run in the final four innings.
“Our whole bullpen this midweek series was awesome,” Allen said.
Allen and the Sun Devils now return home for another Pac-12 showdown against No. 11 Oregon with extra confidence.
“I think it’s extremely good for us,” Allen said. “It’s good for us to get back on track and we did it.”
Reach the reporter at dsshapi1@asu.edu
