ASU Baseball: Riding win streak, Sun Devils visit Washington

Arizona State will look to continue its recent winning ways this weekend, when the Sun Devils head up to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies in a three-game set.

Game 1: Friday, May 12 (6:05 p.m. Mountain Time)
Game 2: Saturday, May 13 (2:05 p.m. Mountain Time)
Game 3: Sunday, May 14 (1:05 p.m. Mountain Time)

All three games can be watched via the Pac-12 Live Stream and listened to via NBC Sports Radio 1060 AM or the TuneIn Radio App.

A look at ASU

The Sun Devils (21-24, 7-14 Pac-12) enter the series riding a two-game winning streak (the sixth time the team has accomplished a win streak of two games or more this season), alleviating a bit of the internal drama occurring within the program.

The two victories each came against top-15 conference opponents — the first at home over Stanford, followed by a nip-tuck, shootout win on the road against Arizona.

Despite recent fortune, ASU has had apparent struggles away from home, trekking to Washington touting a 4-11 record on the road.

A look at Washington

In order to take advantage of the visitors’ woes, the Huskies (24-11, 10-11) will need to break out of a recent poor stretch during which they’ve lost four straight (three at Arizona, one vs. Seattle).

To snap out of the funk, Washington will rely on its stars to take charge. It starts with catcher Joey Morgan, who sports a team-leading .347 batting average. The junior batted in his 35th RBI of the season Tuesday in a 7-5 loss against Seattle. The Huskies’ pitching rotation is anchored by junior right-hander Noah Bremer, who boasts a 5-2 record (team-low 2.55 ERA) and has struck out 82 batters in 81 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched.

Postseason Outlook

The Maroon & Gold battled for wins in their last two outings, despite it being unlikely the Sun Devils will compete in the NCAA Tournament at the conclusion of the regular season. According to this week’s breakdown of the tournament field conducted by CollegeSportsMadness.com, No. 1 Oregon State, No. 12 Stanford, No. 17 Arizona, UCLA and Washington are projected to represent the Pac-12. It would mark the first time in head coach Tracy Smith’s three seasons at the helm that ASU did not reach the tournament.

Something to Know

• Taylor Lane is now on a career-best seven-game hitting streak, and is batting .292 for the season. The junior infielder has been featured in multiple spots along the infield, most recently spelling at first base in ASU’s win over Arizona.

Friday Night’s Probable

5/12 @ Washington

LHP Eli Lingos (6-4, 3.86 ERA)

The junior lefty will look to rebound from his latest outing against Stanford from which he was chased early in the contest having allowed eight runs (five earned) on seven hits in two innings.

Last season, Lingos appeared in ASU’s series-opening loss to Washington. He provided 4 ¹⁄₃ shutout innings in relief of starter Seth Martinez, allowing only three hits while striking out seven Husky batters.