ASU star Landon Hairston on a roll; Cactus League sees rise for 2026

Spring sports are underway in Arizona with college baseball and rising spring training attendance.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:24pm

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Arizona State University baseball standout Landon Hairston continued his impressive start to the season, hitting two home runs in a win over San Diego State. Meanwhile, Cactus League spring training attendance rose for the fifth consecutive year, with a total of 1,753,849 fans attending games across 237 contests.

Why it matters

Hairston's hot hitting is a bright spot for the Sun Devils as they prepare to face rival Arizona, while the Cactus League's attendance increase demonstrates the enduring appeal of spring training baseball in the Phoenix area despite challenges like extreme heat.

The details

Batting leadoff, Hairston blasted two home runs, Nos. 16 and 17 this season, and Colin Linder allowed only one hit in a four-inning relief appearance to help secure the 6-2 win for ASU (21-8). Hairston pushed his average to .469 with an OPS of 1.578 and has nine stolen bases. The Sun Devils begin a three-game series with Arizona on Thursday, April 2. The total Cactus League attendance of 1,753,849 (237 games) was 58,369 more than in 2025 (3.4 percent) and the largest single-season total since 2018. The per game average of 7,400 was down 169 fans from 2025.

  • On March 30, Hairston hit two home runs in ASU's 6-2 win over San Diego State.
  • The Sun Devils begin a three-game series with Arizona on Thursday, April 2.
  • The 2026 Cactus League season saw a total attendance of 1,753,849 across 237 games.

The players

Landon Hairston

An Arizona State University baseball standout who has been on a hot hitting streak, batting .469 with 17 home runs and 9 stolen bases so far this season.

Colin Linder

An Arizona State University baseball pitcher who allowed only one hit in a four-inning relief appearance to help secure the win over San Diego State.

Brody Briggs

An Arizona State University baseball catcher who drove in two runs in the win over San Diego State.

Drew Toigo

An Arizona State University baseball right fielder who went 2-for-3 in the win over San Diego State.

Bridget Binsbacher

The executive director of the Cactus League, who commented on the rise in spring training attendance despite challenges like extreme heat.

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What they’re saying

“Cactus League attendance has steadily climbed despite challenges beyond our control – a pandemic, a lockout and now a record heat wave. The appeal of spring training, like baseball itself, is timeless – and nothing compares to experiencing it in our unique and intimate ballparks.”

— Bridget Binsbacher, Cactus League Executive Director

What’s next

The Sun Devils begin a three-game series with rival Arizona on Thursday, April 2, in Tucson. All three games begin at 6:05 p.m.

The takeaway

Landon Hairston's hot hitting has been a bright spot for Arizona State baseball as they prepare to face their in-state rival Arizona, while the continued rise in Cactus League spring training attendance demonstrates the enduring popularity of the sport in the Phoenix area despite challenges like extreme heat.