In this week's Dirt on the Spikes, we recap ASU baseball’s first five games of the 2016 season.
The Sun Devils started out their opening series against Xavier with strong defense.
Pitching was solid on Friday night with junior Hever Bueno starting and lasting 5 1/3 innings with only two hits and one run scored. Bueno earned the win, while sophomore Eder Erives was credited with the save after he came in to close it out for the Sun Devils.
In Saturday’s first game, junior Seth Martinez pitched seven innings, only allowing four hits and one run. Sophomore Grant Schneider came in to relieve Martinez in the eighth and only allowed two hits.
The Sun Devils experimented more with weekend pitching in game two on Saturday with Eli Lingos, Ryan Hingst, Eric Melbostad, Connor Higgins and Fitz Stadler.
This experimentation was seen again on Tuesday night against Nevada after ASU had a less than stellar first inning.
Freshman Fitz Stadler struggled in his first collegiate start, forcing ASU to throw out five different relievers.
“We’re trying to look at some different guys and get opportunities and pick the spots to get them in there,” head coach Tracy Smith said. “I think as we get a few games down the road you’re probably going to see less and less multiple guys, I think you’ll have a better idea of what we’re doing.”
Tuesday night’s performance was a 180 from the team’s impressive first outing as they struggled defensively against Nevada.
Going into their second series, the Sun Devils' pitching strength seems to lie in Bueno, Martinez and Schneider, but there’s plenty of potential as the staff discovers more as the season progresses. However, the team will display weaknesses while attempting to develop those players.
Until further development in the bullpen, ASU will have to work to find consistency on the mound.
Tune in next week for our recap of ASU’s series against Long Beach State.
Reach the reporters at haley.stesiak@asu.edu or follow @haley_stesiak on Twitter and at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or on Twitter @justintoscano3.
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