Throughout the superstitious world, the number 13 is considered cursed or unlucky, and the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners experienced firsthand in a rout to Arizona State.

ASU (8-0) defeated OU (7-1) 15-3 in seven innings after scoring 14 runs in the first three innings at Kimrey Family Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, Feb. 24. In the second inning, junior second baseman Nu’u Contrades appeared in the batter’s box twice, hitting a leadoff double and a two-run home run, igniting the fire that blazed throughout the game.

Here are three key takeaways from the contest.

FORGET SWINGING FOR CONTACT

In the second inning, Sooners sophomore right-handed pitcher Michael Catalona issued six hits, eight runs and three walks, leading to the Sun Devil bats simultaneously ending his day before fans could even step into the ballpark.

Looking at the blown-up inning, the key to ASU’s production pointed to the long ball.

Each home run in the second occurred with a man on base, elevating a simple solo shot to a six-run parade.

In the following inning, OU sophomore left-handed pitcher Jaden Barfield surrendered a similar fate to his counterpart.

The Texas native dished out three consecutive doubles, a three-run home run, along with a walk and a hit by pitch before departing from the mound.

The Sun Devils ended their day with 15 total hits, and 10 of them for extra bases.

ASU trounced its way to victory, utilizing its bats plenty of times during the young season, but Tuesday felt like a statement win in its first ranked matchup.

After sweeping St. John’s on Feb. 22,  ASU sophomore infielder Beckett Zavorek said, “I think we’re a little bit slept on right now, not a lot of people are talking about us. But it’s exactly how we want it, we want to fly under the radar and perform when it matters.”

TAKING WHAT THE OPPONENT GIVES YOU

On the highlight tape, the four round-trippers get their recognition, but the disciplined baseball decisions won’t go unnoticed.

On Tuesday, nearly every walk issued by the Sooners accounted for a Sun Devil run.

In the second, ASU junior designated hitter Garret Michel appeared in the batter’s box with Contrades in scoring position.

Instead of playing hero ball, Michel worked a six-pitch walk, resulting in junior center fielder Dominic Longo driving in both of them thanks to a two-run blast.

Similarly, in the third, ASU sophomore catcher Brody Briggs stepped in with a runner in scoring position. On deck stood sophomore left fielder Landon Hairston, who blasted a 432-foot home run in the inning prior, which gave Briggs confidence to not feel pressured to produce.

Briggs then worked himself a walk, passing the baton to Hairston, who drove in all three with his yet another home run. 

The Sun Devils continue to flourish in the fundamentals department by not forcing in runs but by letting the moment come to them.

An incredible example of this occurred when ASU junior shortstop PJ Moutzouridis walked in the second inning and alertly stole second off a visibly frustrated Catalona, who had already given up four runs in the inning.

Catalona did not glance at Moutzouridis despite a dramatic lead, resulting in the shortstop swiping second and scoring after a single by fifth-year right fielder Dean Toigo.

ASU head coach Willie Bloomquist’s squad continues to play a cutthroat brand of baseball, leading them to an undefeated start.

NEED TO KEEP OPPONENT HITS INSIDE OF THE BALLPARK

ASU senior right-handed pitcher Kole Klecker started on the bump, yielding only three hits with five strikeouts in five innings pitched.

The Achilles’ heel, however, happened to be the fashion in which the hits occurred.

Two hits landed over the outfield wall during Klecker’s outing, which, while it did not affect the outcome, proved to be a sign of improvement.

With tough SEC pitching matchups on the horizon, the Sun Devil bats cannot rely on slugging their way to victory, meaning the rotation needs to stay away from dangerous pitch locations.

Klecker also allowed two walks and hit-by-pitches, allowing hitters to grab a base without putting the ball in play.

In the fourth, a rally started to brew after Klecker yielded a home run, walk, single and another walk with only one out in the inning.

The Arizona native navigated the team out of the inning with a strikeout and pop out, but the free passes leading into a nasty situation won’t be a habit ASU wants to continue.