Arizona State Sun Devils opened their NCAA tournament matchup with a commanding 17-0 victory over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Lincoln, Nebraska, a result that underscores the Sun Devils’ depth and execution on both sides of the ball.
A Pitcher's Masterclass
Kole Klecker anchored the Sun Devils’ rotation, delivering eight consecutive shutout innings that kept the Jackrabbits’ hitters at bay. His effort was complemented by timely hitting, including a grand slam from Nu'u Contrades in the fifth that opened a six‑run burst.
The sixth inning saw Austen Roellig add another grand slam, extending the lead and forcing South Dakota State’s relievers to crumble under pressure. The Jackrabbits’ bullpen surrendered 11 runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth, a collapse that left them scrambling for answers.
South Dakota State’s starter Drew McDowell showed promise early, but he was pulled after the fifth inning as the Sun Devils’ offense surged. Coach Rob Bishop acknowledged the team’s struggles, noting that the experience will be a learning opportunity for a squad that fell to 0-4 all-time in the tournament.
The win also highlighted contributions from a host of Jackrabbits players, including Nic Werk and Keagan Jirschele, who managed a few hits off Klecker, while teammates such as Kaden Rylance, Tristan Augedahl, Austin Henry, Sam Novotny, Matthew Werk, Jacob Sjuts, Luke Jones, Dean Toigo, Carson Jasa and Matt Zimmer looked to build on the outing as they prepare for next season.