Arizona State Baseball Returns to NCAA Regional After Three-Year Absence

Tempe, Arizona — Arizona State University baseball has made a return to the NCAA Regional for the first time since 2021. The Sun Devils secured their spot in the tournament after overcoming a late-season slump, concluding the regular season with a solid performance.

In an exciting development for the team and its fans, Arizona State clinched its place with a decisive 4-2 victory over UC Irvine on Friday. Head coach Willie Bloomquist expressed pride in the team’s journey back to the postseason, saying, “Seeing the hard work of our players pay off with this selection is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”

The Sun Devils had missed the tournament for three consecutive years, the longest dry spell in program history. Had they not made the field for a fourth straight year, speculation about Bloomquist’s future would have loomed large, with sources indicating that a change in leadership would likely follow.

Bloomquist, a former All-American player for the Sun Devils, has been adept at attracting top talent, with Arizona State boasting more top-200 draft prospects than any other Big 12 team this season. As they prepare for their tournament run in Los Angeles, players like Jonathan Gonzalez and Ty Van Dyke look to lead the charge on the mound.

The NCAA Tournament opens with significant competition, as the Sun Devils face tough opponents throughout the regional. Bloomquist noted, “We need to play to our potential this weekend. If we can do that, who knows how far we can go?” A return to form in Los Angeles could see ASU reach the super regionals for the first time since 2011.

The excitement for the upcoming games is palpable as players and fans alike look forward to this crucial moment in Sun Devil history.