ASU can put UA in difficult position with a baseball win in Tempe
TUCSON – Arizona’s opportunity to repeat as Territorial Cup Series champs could be slipping away as the annual rivalry series draws to a close.
Arizona State can put a stranglehold on the trophy with a baseball victory over the Wildcats Tuesday night in Tempe. The Sun Devils won two-of-three in the Pac-12 showdown over Arizona earlier this season here in Tucson.
That series took place before the Wildcats got hot on the diamond. It came before a winning stretch that has seen UA (29-17, 17-7) ascend to 1st place in the Pac-12 Conference.
Tuesday is the lone non-conference game between the two rivals. A win by Arizona State (26-23, 14-13) would essentially clinch the baseball point in the Territorial Cup Series.
It is possible the two school could still meet multiple times in baseball at the Pac-12 Tournament which could then change the balance of power.
ASU currently leads the Territorial Cup Series 10.0-9.5 if you slot them a half point for winning the first two baseball games against UA in the regular season.
The final two points left to be decided will be in women’s and men’s outdoor track and field this weekend at the Pac-12 Championships in Boulder, Colorado.
Both Wildcat track squads were ranked in the Top 15 at the beginning of the outdoor season. The men were as high as No. 4 but have since slipped to 36th while the Sun Devil men are ranked 26th.
UA looks to have the advantage on the women’s side as the Wildcats are ranked 58th to ASU’s 121st slot.
If the Sun Devils win the baseball point they would then only need to win one of the track points to wrap up the title.
We may not know for sure who ultimately will raise the trophy until the end of May.
Arizona State currently holds the tiebreaker which is highest standing in the Learfield Directors’ Cup. The Sun Devils are ranked 29th while the Wildcats sit 66th.
UA was hurt this Winter by a poor showing in swimming and diving where the women did not score at the NCAA Championships and the men finished a dismal 27th.
The ASU men meanwhile won their first national championship in swimming.
Arizona Athletics announced on Friday that swimming and diving coach Augie Busch would not return next season.
The Sun Devils outpointed the Wildcats 331.75-181 in the Winter Sports. Arizona however should be able to make up considerable Directors’ Cup ground in the spring as UA will likely have eight-of-nine teams qualify for post-season.
TERRITORIAL CUP SERIES VICTORIES
ARIZONA STATE
- Triathlon
- Women’s Volleyball
- Gymnastics
- Women’s Swimming and Diving
- Men’s Swimming and Diving
- Men’s Indoor Track and Field
- Beach Volleyball
- Women’s Tennis
- Men’s Golf
ARIZONA
- Football
- Soccer
- Men’s Cross Country
- Women’s Cross Country
- Men’s Basketball
- Women’s Basketball
- Men’s Tennis
- Softball
- Women’s Golf
SPLIT
- Women’s Indoor Track and Field
TO BE DETERMINED
- Baseball (ASU leads 2-1 with three possible games remaining)
- Women’s Outdoor Track and Field
- Men’s Outdoor Track and Field
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