ASU baseball: Three standouts against Ohio State

TEMPE, Ariz. — ASU baseball split a four-game weekend series against Ohio State this past weekend. The Sun Devils dropped the opener, losing a Thursday night matchup 11-4. However, they bounced back on Friday with a 14-4 victory. Saturday would be a similar score, just flipped in OSU’s favor, 14-3. For fans at Phoenix Muni hoping for a close game, they finally received that on Sunday with ASU’s 10-8 victory. The game only went eight innings due to the Buckeyes needing to make their flight back to Columbus.

Three ASU baseball standouts from the Ohio State series

In a four-game series, there will be ups and downs regarding a player’s performance. However, there were three standouts for ASU baseball in the series.

Harris Williams (Outfielder)

Williams is a redshirt senior transfer from San Francisco. So far this young season this outfielder has been a steady hitter and he entered the OSU series holding an excellent .389 average for the season.

The newcomer would nearly increase that average by .100 over the four-game stretch. Williams had a slow start in ASU’s Thursday night loss, as he was 0/3 with a stolen base. However, all great hitters have a short memory and Williams bounced back impressively.

In the final three games of the series, Williams went a combined 9/13 at the plate with two walks. He also had three RBIs and two doubles at the plate.

Thomas Burns (Right-handed pitcher)

A quick scan of Arizona State baseball scores from this season and you’ll quickly identify that pitching has been an issue for the Sun Devils this season. However, there have been a few bright spots in that department, and one of them is Thomas Burns.

Burns made history on opening day by being the first true freshman starter to open up the season since 2003 (Ike Davis), and he backed up the hype. In his two games this season he boasts a 2.89 ERA.

The Wisconsin native fell victim to the long ball twice in his start against OSU, giving up two runs in four innings. However, for the rest of the night, he looked in complete control. In those four innings of action, Burns dialed up eight strikeouts and only one walk.

Burns finished his start against Ohio State allowing just four hits and made many Buckeyes look silly at the plate. If he can find a way to limit the long ball (all runs against Burns this season have been via home runs) he will be dangerous.

Brandon Compton (Designated Hitter/Outfielder)

Brandon Compton a redshirt freshman from Buckeye, Ariz. only played in three of the games against Ohio State. ASU baseball went 2-1 against OSU when Compton played, and there was a reason for it.

Compton brought power to the lineup, one that had been held in check for four runs on their Thursday night loss. For the series, Compton went 6/12 at the plate and added two walks. The power hitter brought in eight runs in his three games played and had two extra-base hits, one being a home run.

The freshman’s home run came at a perfect time as well, giving ASU a 10-8 lead in the final matchup between the two programs. The Sun Devils would never surrender that lead and would win 10-8 to secure the split.

STRAIGHT. OUTTA. COMPTON.

GRAND SLAM FOR @BrandonCompton_ AND WE ARE ON TOP.

10-8, Devils, B6. pic.twitter.com/R2LgDikNKc

— Sun Devil Baseball (@ASU_Baseball) February 25, 2024

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