Each ASU game this season has come down to the wire with a plethora of anxiety-inducing moments keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.

In a Saturday afternoon slugfest, Arizona State (5-1) put fans at ease with a 12-5 series comeback victory against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (4-1).

An overall smooth game from the Sun Devils, with sturdy pitching from senior Jack Martinez and sophomore Josh Butler. 

For the first time this season, the Sun Devils finished the job with just a pair of right-handed arms. Starting pitcher Jack Martinez (6 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 K) carried the load for Josh Butler to close it out and keep the bullpen well-rested for tomorrow’s rubber match, a relief for coach Willie Bloomquist. 

“Having [Butler] come in there and save the rest of the bullpen today was big,” Bloomquist said. “We got an extra inning out of each of those guys, so it saves a couple more bullets for tomorrow.”

The Sun Devils' contact approach paid off as they struck out an anemic three times, their lowest tally of the young spring while scoring 12 runs off the Oral Roberts pitching staff.

Kien Vu and Nu’u Contrades led the charge offensively, both of whom went 3-5 at the dish with a double, a stolen base, and a two-run homer each. 

Vu's team-leading steals total (8) overshadowed Contrades' first bag of the season, which came from a steal of home in the second.

“We actually have a $50 bet, who has more bags by the end of the season, so I'm smoking [Contrades] right now,” Vu said. 

On and off the field, Vu and Contrades have a strong friendship despite their friendly rivalry. Like his fellow teammates, Vu is ecstatic to see Contrades rebound from his injury-riddled sophomore season.

“[Contrades] feels like my brother, so it's really cool seeing him thrive the way I know he can,” Vu said. “To be able to go home and kinda celebrate this game, but then also celebrate the success of the team and then move on and do it all again tomorrow is pretty fun.”

The two share a living space with outfielders Brandon Compton and Isaiah Jackson, who also have been at the forefront of Arizona State’s offensive production this season and this afternoon.

Jackson drilled a two-RBI triple in the third inning to extend the Sun Devils lead to five. Compton had a relatively quiet day by his standards at the plate with no hits in three at-bats but drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and collected his fourth free pass of this series. 

“It's really cool just having that house of success,” Vu said, “Knowing that we continue to push each other to do better. It's really cool watching them thrive.”

Jackson came into 2025 with a fresh perspective, determined to improve his swing mechanics and mental approach so he could compete at the level he knows he is capable of.

“It's what [Jackson’s] capable of, and we're excited for him and where he can go,” Bloomquist said, “We're just gonna keep hoping he continues to put together good solid at-bats like he's doing.”

Another Sun Devil looking to learn from last year's lessons is Butler, who has established himself as one of Bloomquist's top arms out of the bullpen. His significant appearance today and 1.80 ERA out of the bullpen thus far stem from a desire to instill confidence on the mound.

“I think the biggest thing for me right now is just trusting my stuff. Throw it over the plate and good things happen,” Butler said. 

Arizona State fulfilled its promise made by starting pitcher Ben Jacobs, who said yesterday’s loss would “light a fire under our butts.” Their dominant five-tool performance is what Bloomquist knows his ball club is capable of. 

“No matter what the situation, they're gonna bounce back and come ready to play,” Bloomquist said, “We're gonna do a lot of great things if they can play with that type of urgency and energy. 

The deciding game is tomorrow between the two teams with a scheduled noon first pitch. ASU sophomore Jaden Alba and Oral Roberts junior Trent Martin will start the series finale.