Brigham Young’s three-game weekend sweep of the Sun Devil baseball team created a lot of concerns for fans. BYU outscored ASU 29 to 10.
Unfortunately for Sun Devil baseball fans, it may get worse before it gets better.
Bullpen proving costly
It was no secret that pitching was going to be an issue for ASU this season. With that said, it comes as a surprise just how much the bullpen has struggled.
In Friday’s first game against BYU the teams were knotted at 2-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning. The bullpen gave up two runs and ultimately lost the game for ASU.
A leadoff double and a couple of walks put the Sun Devils in a bad situation to open the inning.
A similar predicament decided the second game between the teams. The Sun Devils held a two-run lead going into the final inning, only to watch the bullpen allow a triple and walk several batters.
This is an ASU bullpen that had two-or-more run leads going into the ninth inning, only to lose both those contests. Not to mention, they gave up 19 runs in the final game against BYU.
Conor Davis a bright spot
Infielder Conor Davis remains a shining star on an ASU team trying to find itself. Davis has a hit in every game this season except one.
The graduate student has 10 hits and seven runs through the Sun Devils’ seven games this season. He also has five RBI.
While the veteran has been consistent, he’ll need the rest of ASU’s bats to get cracking. Otherwise, the team could find itself in a situation where Davis is the lone offensive star on an underwhelming Pac-12 team.
Davis alongside Nate Baez and Joe Lampe are the only ASU players batting above .300.
Bloomquist will figure it all out … hopefully
It may not be the most believable outcome given ASU baseball’s 19-3 loss on Saturday, but good teams aren’t created overnight. The season is still young, and the Sun Devils do have some talented players.
It was just a couple of weeks ago that ASU edged Dixie State in a series. The team has also produced its highest scoring outing in the past year.
With a little bit of a culture shift and some time to get in sync, this ASU program could one day be at the top of the Pac-12. It starts with Bloomquist, and he understands that.
“It’s one of the more embarrassing things I think I’ve been a part of on a baseball field today,” Bloomquist said after ASU’s loss on Saturday. “And that’s on me, and I will take responsibility for it. We have to get better.”
