Opening Day Win Shows Sun Devil Baseball’s Depth, Grit, and Energy
Opening Day always brings a certain buzz, but for Arizona State Baseball, this one came with a little extra juice. A win to kick off the season?
That’s the goal. But the way the Sun Devils got there-gritty pitching, timely hitting, and a whole lot of energy-was exactly the kind of tone-setter Head Coach Willie Bloomquist wanted.
Let’s break it down.
Pitching Sets the Tone
If you’re looking for early-season positives, start with the arms. Junior right-hander Cole Carlon got the Opening Day nod and made the most of it. He gave the Sun Devils five strong innings-more than the coaching staff initially planned for-and kept things efficient with only two walks allowed by the entire staff on the night.
Carlon wasn’t trying to overpower hitters. He focused on staying in the zone, trusting his stuff, and working over the plate.
That approach paid off. He kept hitters off balance and gave his team a chance to settle in offensively.
Behind him, Alex Overbay and Derek Schaefer came in and did their jobs. Overbay had to navigate some tough luck in the eighth-an infield hit here, a couple of loud outs there-but he made the big pitches when it mattered.
The Devils didn’t turn a double play they probably should have, but even then, Overbay kept his composure and got out of the jam. That was the one dicey moment, but it never turned into a disaster.
And just like that, the staff turned in a clean, efficient outing on Opening Night.
Contrades Comes Up Big
Nu’u Contrades reminded everyone exactly why he’s one of the most dynamic players in the country. Healthy again after missing time last season, he delivered a performance that showcased the full range of his game-power, contact, speed, defense.
There’s a reason he’s wearing the captain’s “C” this year, and it’s not just talent. His teammates respect him because they’ve seen what he’s been through, and how he’s come back better for it.
When Contrades is right, he’s the engine that makes this team go. And on a night when the offense took a little while to get going, his presence was the spark they needed.
Offense Finds Its Groove Late
The bats didn’t explode out of the gate, but when the Sun Devils needed runs, they found them. They pushed a few across late and added three big insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to give themselves some breathing room.
PJ Moutzouridis, playing his first game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, brought energy and purpose to the lineup. His approach mirrored what the coaching staff preaches-stay short, hit line drives, and create chaos on the basepaths.
With the wind not doing hitters any favors, it was all about execution and pressure. The Devils delivered.
Carlon even got in on the action with his baserunning, helping set the tone early. The team’s mindset was clear: cause havoc however possible. With Bloomquist giving the green light, they stayed aggressive and made the opposition uncomfortable.
Crowd Brings the Energy
Nearly 4,000 fans packed the stands for Opening Night, and they made their presence felt. For Bloomquist and the players, that kind of turnout is more than just a nice backdrop-it’s a recruiting tool, a motivator, and a sign of what Sun Devil Baseball can be.
College baseball doesn’t ease into the season. Every game matters.
And that’s exactly how ASU is approaching it. No easing guys in, no pitch limits for the sake of it-this is full-throttle baseball from the jump.
The fans brought the energy, and the team matched it on the field.
Quick Turnaround, Same Mentality
After the win, Bloomquist’s message to the team was simple: enjoy it, celebrate it, then turn the page. College baseball is a grind, and wins are never guaranteed. But this group, full of new faces who’ve already started to gel, showed they’re ready for the challenge.
It’s only one game, but it was the kind of win that builds momentum. Solid pitching, a resilient offense, and a crowd that brought the noise-Sun Devil Baseball is back, and they’re not easing into anything.