It took a combined eight pitchers for ASU to complete its upset over the Wildcats
TEMPE, Ariz. — There was no question as to what Arizona State could do on offense after plating 38 runs the season-opening series win over Santa Clara, but pitching lacked the same spark.
Against its first ranked opponent of the season, Arizona State’s bullpen showed improvement, displaying it has what it takes to compete — even if its by committee — after closing out a grueling victory over the No. 24 Kansas State Wildcats, 9-6.
The Sun Devils (3-1) took down the No. 24 Wildcats (2-2) behind a receptive offense and steady pitching rotation that toiled its way through a chiseled K-State lineup, despite walking 12 batters.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Adam Brehens started the night with 76 pitches through four innings, giving up three runs, all of which came from a pair of homers off the top-self. One of the home runs given up was inevitable; a moon shot over the center field wall by Kaelen Culpepper, the No. 28 prospect, according MLB.com.
“We had plans to just pound (Culpepper) in all day, and he made an adjustment and got one — and I’m like, ‘Hey, make it fun, I mean, he hit the crap out of that ball so it’s like, get your money’s worth, sit there and watch it, cool,” Bloomquist said. “Then (Behrens) bounced right back and does his thing.”
Behrens allowed five hits but only one walk. He delivered four strikeouts and 10 of his 16 first pitches went for strikes.
Coach Willie Bloomquist, still finding a grasp on his young pitchers, had the chance to see newcomers step up in the lights — and some crumble. Junior college transfers Ryan Schiefer and Matt Cornelius made their Arizona State debuts, and both inherited loaded bases. Neither gave earned runs.
After freshman Bradyn Barnes walked four, Schiefer took to the mound with the game knotted at 4 and based loaded. He put down the first batter then retired the next.
Matt Cornelius, a junior college transfer, stepped up to the mound for his Arizona State debut in the top of the seventh. With bases loaded, he struck out the lone batter in the frame before tossing a scoreless eighth inning.
Freshman Cole Carlon made an appearance to close the game, but struggled to find the plate, leaving balls high and wide. After loaded up the plates twice and allowing a runner to get home, Tieding came in for the games final out.
And he sealed the upset with a decisive manner strikeout.
The moments proved to be too much for freshman Wyatt Halvorson, Cole Carlon and Barnes, with the three accounting for nine of Arizona State’s 12 batters walked. Cornelius, Schiefer and Tieding were dealt to clean up. Bloomquist, and his young pitchers, understood there would be growing pains and some that are only visible under pressure, but in order for Arizona State to forge ahead, pitching remains a priority.
“It’s time for them to understand that we can’t go out and walk four guys in an inning,” Bloomquist said of his bullpen. “That’s just unacceptable, and I’m not going down that road again.”