Turning Point: Missed Opportunities
The Sun Devils found themselves in prime scoring positions multiple times throughout the game, with baserunners ready to make a difference in the first, third, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. Yet, despite these opportunities, they only managed to bring home four runs. It was a classic case of missed chances that could have turned the tide in their favor.
Big Moment: Griffin’s Game-Changer
After rallying from a two-run deficit in the seventh inning to tie things up, the Sun Devils stumbled in the eighth. Two leadoff walks set the stage for TCU’s Colton Griffin, who seized the moment. With the bases loaded and two outs in a tense 3-3 situation, Griffin delivered a clutch hit through the left side, bringing in two runs and giving TCU a crucial 5-3 lead.
Final Straw: A Heartbreaking Double Play
Down by two in the ninth, ASU fought back with determination. Smaldino’s leadoff walk and Myers’ one-out single put the tying run on base.
Briggs’ single brought Smaldino home, moving the tying run to third. With runners on the corners and one out, Zavorek’s shallow fly ball to left field seemed like it might even the score.
However, Griffin, now in left field, showcased his defensive prowess with a precise throw to home, catching Myers just before he could score, ending the game on a dramatic double play.
The Big Number: Four Costly Double Plays
The Sun Devils found themselves on the wrong side of four double plays, a season-high for them. These weren’t your run-of-the-mill double plays, either.
Two came from strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out scenarios, another from a hit-and-run that turned into a line drive double play, and the last, a game-ending play, saw an aggressive attempt to score thwarted by a pinpoint throw home. These moments underscored a night of tough breaks and missed opportunities.