Desperate to snap a two-game skid, the Arizona State Sun Devils entered the final game of their series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a sense of urgency. Behind a strong offensive showing and a resilient bullpen performance, ASU held off a late comeback attempt to secure an 8-7 victory, avoiding a series sweep. With key performances from Josiah Cromwick and Matt King, the Sun Devils improved to 8-4 on the season and gained some momentum heading into their next set of games.

Heading into the final game of a three-game season, the Arizona State Sun Devils badly needed a win to stop their first losing streak of the season after losing the first two games of their current series to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Also heading into this game, the Sun Devils bullpen had allowed only a .208 batting average against this season, striking out 45 in 41.0 innings of work. That bullpen would definitely be tested today.

Jaden Alba would get the start for the Sun Devils. He would be opposed by Minnesota’s Justin Thorteinson.

After a scoreless opening frame by Alba to start the game, the ASU offense got the Sun Devils on the board first in the bottom of the first. Josiah Cromwick would plate the first run of the game with a double to left field, scoring Matt King from second.

Both teams would go scoreless in the second and third inning. But in the fourth, Minnesota would tie up the game on an RBI single to centerfield by Jack Spencer.

Arizona State would answer in the bottom of the fourth inning with a home run by the Sun Devils catcher, Josiah Cromwick, giving ASU a 2-1 lead.

The Sun Devils would add another run in the bottom of the fifth after a sac fly by Matt King made the score 3-1.

In the sixth inning, Minnesota would get within a run with a solo home run by the second baseman, Jameson Martin.

Arizona State would then open up the flood gates in the bottom of the sixth, sending nine players to the plate. Josiah Cromwick would get on base first after being hit by a pitch. That was followed by a single to left field by Isaiah Jackson, who advanced to second on the throw. Kyle Walker would plate a run with an RBI single into left field. Beckett Zavorek would knock in two runs with a chopper over the head of the drawn in infield for the Golden Gophers, scoring two more runs. Later in the inning, Zavorek and Matt King would score on a double to left field by Brandon Compton, making the score 8-2 at the end of the sixth inning.

But the Golden Gophers would not go quietly. In the top of the seventh inning, they would hit four home runs in five batters, all solo shots. The home runs were hit by Jack Spanier, Parker Knoll, Easton Richter, and Charlie Sutherland. The Sun Devils would still have an 8-6 lead at the end of the seventh inning.

And then came the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on first, Sutherland would single to right field. Brayden Hellum would then hit a double to left field, scoring Berkland from second and putting the tying run on third base with the score 8-7, and just one out.

But then the Sun Devils pitching responded, striking out the next two batters and holding on for the 8-7 victory.

The Sun Devils would improve to 8-4 on the young season.

Despite a late-game surge from Minnesota, Arizona State managed to close out a much-needed win, showcasing both offensive firepower and clutch pitching in the final moments. The Sun Devils will look to build on this victory as they continue their homestand with a midweek clash against UNLV before turning their attention to a three-game series against Gonzaga.


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