ASU Baseball Falls in 14-Inning Epic Against Ole Miss: A Tale of Grit and Heartbreak
In a game that will be remembered as an instant classic, the No. 22 Arizona State Sun Devils pushed the No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels to their absolute limit. The opening game of the 2026 NCAA Lincoln Regional wasn’t just a baseball game; it was a marathon of endurance, skill, and raw emotion that stretched well past 1 a.m. local time.
Despite a heroic effort and a pitching masterclass, ASU ultimately fell 7-6 in the bottom of the 14th inning. While the result was a loss, the performance showcased the undeniable heart of this ASU baseball squad.
The Electric Performance of Nu’u Contrades
If there was one bright spot in the Sun Devils’ night, it was Nu’u Contrades. Making his first career postseason appearance after a grueling recovery from a hand injury, Contrades played like a man possessed. His stats for the night tell only half the story:
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- Two massive home runs, including a game-tying two-run blast in the 7th inning that breathed new life into ASU.
- Three total hits, driving the offense when it mattered most.
- A game-saving throw to the plate in the 12th inning that prevented a walk-off and extended the game.
Head Coach Willie Bloomquist didn’t hold back his praise, calling Contrades the “heart and soul” of the team and citing his mental toughness as a benchmark for the entire roster.
Pitching Power: 18 Strikeouts and a Herculean Effort
The story of the game was undoubtedly the dominance of the ASU pitching staff. The Sun Devils managed a staggering 18 strikeouts against one of the most powerful lineups in the country.
Cole Carlon set the tone early, battling through a tough middle stretch to retire nine consecutive batters, finishing with nine strikeouts over 6.2 innings. However, the most remarkable performance came from Jaden Alba. Coming in during the extra innings, Alba delivered what might be his career-best outing, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings and escaping multiple high-pressure jams.
The Turning Point: A Quiet Bat and a Final Straw
Despite the pitching brilliance, ASU struggled to find consistent offensive support. While the heart of the order—Contrades, Dean Toigo, and Dominic Smaldino—went 8-for-19, the rest of the lineup struggled, managing only 2 hits in 30 attempts.
The tragedy of the game lay in the missed opportunities. ASU had the go-ahead run just 90 feet away in the 11th inning, only to see the threat end in a strikeout. By the 14th inning, fatigue finally caught up with the defense. After a series of walks loaded the bases, a seeing-eye single found the gap, ending the thriller and sending the Sun Devils into the elimination bracket.
Looking Ahead: The Fight Continues
Though the loss is stinging, Coach Bloomquist remains incredibly proud of his team’s resilience. “Our guys battled and left their guts on the field,” Bloomquist stated. The Sun Devils now face the toughest challenge of their season: bouncing back quickly for a day game in the elimination bracket.
For fans wanting to keep up with the latest updates on the official ASU Baseball program and the NCAA Tournament standings, the journey is far from over. The grit shown in Lincoln proves that this team refuses to go down without a fight.
