The 21st-ranked Arizona State University baseball team advanced to the Big 12 Conference tournament semifinals after a 10-2 victory over the University of Cincinnati on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.
The Sun Devils used 12 hits and four Cincinnati errors to improve to 38-17, their highest win total in five seasons under head coach Willie Bloomquist.
Hairston Makes History
Sophomore outfielder Landon Hairston hit his 28th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, breaking the single-season home run record in Arizona State program history.
The record was previously held by Mitch Jones, who hit 27 home runs in 2000.
"It was a big weight off my shoulders," said Hairston, the Big 12 Player of the Year. "I knew right when it left the bat, it was going."
Hairston, an Arizona native and semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy, entered the tournament leading the nation with a 1.438 OPS and .
911 slugging percentage.
"Now, it's just go out and play and give it your all," Hairston added. "You're not worrying about external things anymore."
Before breaking the record, Hairston tied the mark with two home runs in the final two games of the regular season, ending a 10-game drought.
"Feels amazing to be a part of something in such a storied program," Hairston said. "It means the world to me."
Playing near his hometown of Queen Creek allowed his family and friends to witness the milestone.
"Big part of my family was there today," Hairston noted. "Having my family, my friends, people I grew up with at these type of games is special."
Coach Bloomquist praised Hairston's development after he hit just four home runs as a freshman.
"I don't know if I can really put it into words," Bloomquist said. "For this young man to be on top of that mountain is pretty dang special."
Early Lead and Pitching
The Sun Devils took an early lead when junior first baseman Dominic Smaldino hit a two-run home run in the first inning, answering Cincinnati's initial 1-0 advantage.
Smaldino, an All-Big 12 Second Team selection, has seven home runs and 16 RBIs over his last six games.
"He's been outstanding," Bloomquist said. "He's on a bit of a heater right now."
Arizona State scored six runs with two outs, going 6-for-15 in those situations.
Senior pitcher Kole Klecker and sophomore Taylor Penn combined to limit Cincinnati to two runs.
"That's what we're capable of," Bloomquist said. "We did a really good job on the bases."
With the win, Arizona State faces ninth-ranked West Virginia University on Friday, May 22, in a single-elimination semifinal at Surprise Stadium.
Junior left-handed ace Cole Carlon is expected to start after experiencing minor arm discomfort in his previous outing on May 15.
"If we want to throw Cole, we've got to triple check with him," Bloomquist explained. "He's been doing outstanding all week."
Carlon, a First-Team All-Big 12 selection with a 5-2 record, confirmed his arm felt good.
"The arm's feeling good," Carlon said. "I'm ready to go whenever they need me."
Carlon is projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 MLB draft starting July 11.
He will face West Virginia right-hander Chansen Cole, with the winner advancing to the championship game on Saturday, May 23.
