Arizona State’s baseball squad moved one step closer to the Super Regional after an 11‑8 win over Nebraska in the Lincoln Regional semifinals, a game that blended explosive offense with late‑inning drama.
Dominic Smaldino anchored the offense, launching two home runs, the second a grand slam that shifted the momentum decisively in the Sun Devils’ favor.
Colby Guy delivered a strong outing on the mound, pitching six innings, striking out seven batters without issuing a walk, and allowing just one run on four hits.
Reliever Derek Schaefer capped the effort with his ninth save of the season, coaxing a flyout to right to seal the victory and quiet a Nebraska rally that had threatened to close the gap.
The win carried an emotional undercurrent, as the ejection of Landon Hairston added a layer of tension that the team rallied around, fueling their resolve in the closing innings.
Next up, the Sun Devils face Ole Miss in a double‑elimination showdown; they must win twice to advance to the Super Regional, a prospect that has the program and its fans buzzing.
A milestone night for Arizona State baseball
The 11‑run outburst extended the team’s school‑record total homers to 118 for the season, while Smaldino’s six opposite‑field homers rank 17th nationally, underscoring the program’s historic offensive surge.
ASU’s 11 runs represented the third‑most scored by Nebraska this year, and the four homers tied a season high, highlighting the significance of the performance within the context of the team’s campaign.