ASU baseball takes series over LMU with lineup, rotation changes

Sun Devils make adjustments, get big performances from new starters in series win

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Arizona State's baseball team made several changes to its lineup and pitching rotation for its series against Loyola Marymount, and the adjustments paid off with a series victory. Junior right-hander Alex Overbay made his first career start on the mound and delivered four scoreless innings, while the offense erupted for nine runs on six extra-base hits, including two home runs. The Sun Devils used a total of six pitchers to limit LMU to just one run in the 9-1 win.

Why it matters

The series win over LMU showed that ASU is willing to make changes and adjustments to its roster and lineup when needed, rather than sticking to a rigid plan. This flexibility and willingness to adapt could pay dividends as the Sun Devils prepare to open Pac-12 play against a ranked TCU team next weekend.

The details

Head coach Willie Bloomquist shifted the weekend rotation, moving senior right-hander Kole Klecker to Sunday and giving the ball to junior right-hander Alex Overbay, who had never started a career game, on Saturday. Overbay delivered four scoreless innings with five strikeouts. The lineup also looked different, with graduate outfielder Dean Toigo batting seventh after opening the season near the top of the order. Toigo and junior outfielder Dominic Longo both hit home runs to power the Sun Devils' nine-run outburst.

  • On Saturday, March 8, 2026, ASU took on LMU in the second game of their series.

The players

Willie Bloomquist

The head coach of the Arizona State baseball team.

Kole Klecker

A senior right-handed pitcher for ASU.

Alex Overbay

A junior right-handed pitcher for ASU who made his first career start in the game against LMU.

Dean Toigo

A graduate outfielder for ASU who hit a home run in the game against LMU.

Dominic Longo

A junior outfielder for ASU who hit a home run in the game against LMU.

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What they’re saying

“It felt great. It's kind of something I've been working toward coming into this year. Me and Jeremy talked all fall about adding that third pitch, the changeup, and I think that was the biggest thing...Just facing batters more than one time—before, it was just one or two innings, facing each batter probably once. So having that third pitch, or even four pitches, just takes it to the next level.”

— Alex Overbay (on3.com)

“You'd like to see guys step up and start getting defined roles, especially going into conference. If starters give five or six innings consistently, and we define the back end, it starts coming together.”

— Willie Bloomquist, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

With No. 17 TCU coming to Tempe next weekend to open conference play, this series feels like the last chance for Bloomquist to experiment. Roles are still moving, spots are still open, and consistency is hard to find without a consistent lineup or a set weekend script on the mound.

The takeaway

ASU's willingness to make changes and adjustments to its lineup and pitching rotation paid off in the series win over LMU, showing the team's flexibility and adaptability as it prepares to open Pac-12 play against a ranked opponent. The Sun Devils are still searching for consistency, but this series demonstrated their ability to experiment and find success through those changes.