The Arizona State baseball team enters the weekend with a win for the first time this season.
Owen Kramkoski Pitched six scoreless innings and struck out a career-high 12 to lead the Wildcats to a 6-0 victory over Fresno State on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field. Kramkowski was winless in each of his previous three games, but he gave UA (4-9) the quality start expected of a junior team.
advertise
All of Kramkowski’s dozen strikeouts came in swings. Early on, it was unclear whether Kramkowski would have his A-level qualifications. He gave up three runs to the first batter of the game and allowed a baserunner to reach the target in each of the first three innings.
Kramkowski settled down from there, retiring 10 of the final 12 batters he faced. Kramkowski allowed five hits and no bases. He had the most strikeouts since an Arizona pitcher Clark Candiotti Recorded 12 Ks on March 29, 2024 against UCLA.
The outing was a rebound for the right-hander Kramkoski, who allowed six earned runs in Arizona’s 7-2 loss to Oregon State on Friday in Las Vegas.
Unlike last Friday — or for much of the early season — Arizona’s offense provided some early run support.
advertise
Tony Lira The Wildcats got on top with a three-run home run in the first inning. The freshman had a team-leading eight RBIs.
Arizona added another run in the first inning on a fielder’s choice and extended its lead in the fourth. Maddox Michalakis Running on a sac fly. Michalakis had an RBI single in the sixth inning, making the score 6-0.
Michalakis batted .100 on the day and went 2-for-3 in his first multi-hit game of the season.
Nate Nowitzk He had three hits and improved his batting average to a team-high .450.
Arizona’s bullpen easily outplayed Fresno State in the later innings. Corey Crean Pitched two scoreless innings, and Benton Hickman It ended with a quiet ninth inning.
It was Arizona’s first game since holding Oregon State scoreless in last year’s NCAA regional game in Eugene.
The Wildcats and Bulldogs will play opener Saturday at 6 p.m. MST.
