Arizona State University’s baseball program is entering the Big 12 Tournament with a sense of destiny, riding a 36‑18 regular‑season record and a clear mission to extend its season into the NCAA Tournament.
The Sun Devils will open play on Thursday at Surprise Stadium, where the first pitch is slated for 8 p.m., a welcome change from last year’s 7:30 a.m. start that tested even the most dedicated fans.
Star power leads the charge
Landon Hairston, the conference’s batting maestro, was crowned Big 12 Baseball Player of the Year after smashing 27 home runs — tying the program’s single‑season record — and posting a .421 average, a .911 slugging percentage and a 1.437 OPS.
His accolades are complemented by first‑team All‑Big 12 selections for Hairston, Cole Carlon and Nu’u Contrades, while Domonic Smaldio earned a second‑team nod, underscoring the depth of talent on the roster.
On the mound, right‑hander Kole Klecker is set to start the opening game, though teammate Cole Carlon was recently pulled because of shoulder fatigue and is under observation.
Cincinnati, the opponent, arrives as a base‑stealing juggernaut, having topped the league with 113 steals in 131 attempts, a threat that will test ASU’s defensive discipline.
Beyond baseball, the university’s softball squad is also bound for an NCAA Super Regional, reflecting a broader Sun Devil momentum toward national prominence, a legacy that includes the fourth‑most collegiate championships and the most alumni to have reached Major League Baseball.
Coach Willie Bloomquist, now in his second year at the helm, has framed the tournament as a platform for postseason glory, urging his players to translate regular‑season success into lasting achievement.