ASU baseball's offensive output was relatively similar to its games against Xavier during the opening weekend sweep, but its defense lagged far behind during Tuesday night's 11-5 loss to Nevada.
The Sun Devils committed two errors, but the defensive lapses were more so about balls that weren't fielded correctly,than fielded at all. Additionally, they didn't help themselves: seven walks were issued amid the defensive struggles.
The game also marked the first time the team had trailed in the young season after it had led at every point throughout the four games against Xavier.
"We just didn't play well defensively tonight with some guys that can play some pretty good defense," ASU head coach Tracy Smith said. "I'm not going to make more out of it than it is. We just didn't play well."
ASU (4-1) freshman pitcher Fitz Stadler's first career start didn't go well as he was tagged for four earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings and 39 total pitches.
Smith said Stadler's off-speed stuff has to be more consistent for him to be successful.
"At this level, particularly as we get into the conference play, you can't just up there and throw fastballs with a 1-to-2 MPH variance," Smith said, "because I don't care who it is, you're going to get hit. I think his struggles tonight were more certainly of our defense, but more a lack of his ability to get his off-speed over."
Nevada started early when the leadoff hitter, junior infielder Justin Bridgman, singled on the first pitch of the game before stealing second. After a groundout moved him to third, Trenton Brooks tripled to draw first blood. Then, a sac fly and a two-run single made it 4-0.
In the top of the second, senior third baseman Bryce Greager—who went 2-for-4 with 5 RBI— hit a two-run homer to right field to open up a six-run lead.
Meanwhile, Nevada starter Sam Held gave up two runs in his four innings of work.
In the fifth, Greager's heroics slipped as he had two straight errors at third. This set up junior shortstop Colby Woodmansee, who hit a three-run home run to left field to make it 9-5 in the fifth inning. It was ASU's first homer of the season.
Woodmansee went 3-for-5 with two doubles to add onto the home run.
"They were literally throwing me all fastballs," he said. "I thought they were just going to throw me fastballs first at-bat then mix in (Held's off-speed pitches), but they kept pounding the fastballs..."
Sophomore Andrew Snow, who did not have a great night defensively, went 3-for-3 at the plate, truly signifying the night-and-day difference for ASU at the plate and in the field.
In the eighth, senior infielder Jordan Aboites' errant throw to first led to two more Nevada runs. This was just the cherry on top for a night filled with defensive miscues.
ASU used a bevy of relievers after Stadler's early exit. Sophomore Grant Schneider failed to stop the bleeding when he replaced Stadler, giving up two hits and three earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings. Then, freshman Chris Isbell made his ASU debut and pitched two scoreless innings. Finally, senior Eric Melbostad and freshman Garvin Alston Jr. finished out the game.
"I thought Isbell did a good job of changing speeds in the zone," Smith said. "I thought Eric did the same thing, came in there and held his ground a little bit...we're trying to look at some different guys...I think as we get a few games down the road, you're probably going to see less and less of multiple guys."
Smith said the glaring positive in Tuesday's loss were the positive at-bats from some guys at the plate. He also said it wasn't a game to fret over, noting that the team is still trying to narrow down its lineup, which could help some guys play with a bit more comfort in the future.
ASU now turns its focus to a weekend series at Long Beach State.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or on Twitter @justintoscano3
Like State Press Sports on Facebook or follow @statepresssport on Twitter
