PHOENIX— As the crowd inside Phoenix Municipal Stadium rose to its feet in the bottom of the fifth inning, a questioning air spread throughout the stands. 

With the afternoon sky being mostly cloudy, many lost the ball as it shot off the bat of sophomore center fielder Landon Hairston.

Although junior right fielder Luke Jacobs gave it his best effort, leaping for the ball at the wall, the result was all too familiar.

The ball bounced off the top of the padding for Hairston's nation-leading 23rd home run of the season. 

Many in the ballpark sat in awe, as they wondered how the ball managed to make it over the fence. 

Yet one of those observers had no doubt about his teammate's blast.  

Sunday's starting pitcher, senior right-hander Kole Klecker, expressed the utmost confidence in the outfielder, even announcing a new nickname inspired by legendary Sun Devils outfielder Barry Bonds. 

“We call him Hairy Bonds,” Klecker said.

Powered by strong outings from Hairston and Klecker, No. 20 Arizona State (26-11, 9-6 Big 12) pulled off an impressive series-deciding 5-2 victory over Utah (17-15, 6-9 Big 12) on Sunday, April 12. Sunday represented an important milestone for the young outfielder, as Hairston's home run tied him with Bonds’ best single season in the category. 

Klecker, who had an impressive outing of his own, allowing two runs over seven innings, expressed the joy that comes with Hairston being in the lineup. 

“(The) kid rakes,” Klecker said. “Pretty fun to pitch behind him, knowing any ab (at bat) he can launch a homer or go backside double.” 

Head coach Willie Bloomquist further praised Hairston, saying he has the chance to reach uncharted territory during his time in the Valley if he continues to play at this level. 

“We're talking about somebody that's going to go down in history as one of the greatest players ever, especially at ASU,” Bloomquist said. “I don't like to get too far ahead of ourselves on that. I just enjoy the moment for what it's at right now and let him keep doing his thing.”

Throughout Hairston's run, Bloomquist has taken time to sit back and enjoy the outfielder's special season while guiding him through his career. 

“I'm just trying to make sure he stays on the railroad tracks and keeps going the way he's going,” Bloomquist said. “I'm not going to overcoach him. There's small reminders every now and again that we have to do. But for the most part, that kid is he knows what he's doing. 

“It's just fun to sit back and watch him do his thing.”

After a heated loss on Friday night that included multiple ejections and a four-hour-long grueling win on Saturday, the Sun Devils found themselves in a precarious spot on Sunday, needing a victory to secure the series.

Despite the pressure, Bloomquist enforced a message of “The toughest team wins on Sunday.” 

“It's more just who can mentally keep it together on Sunday, especially after the first two games that were pretty grueling and had a lot of intensity and some sparks flying,” Bloomquist said. “It was huge that those guys are able to stay mentally focused and come with that same intensity on Sunday, which is always the tough day to do that.”  

Klecker pointed toward the resilience ASU played with, especially after facing a pesky Utes team.  

“They (Utah) came with a lot of fire Friday night,” Klecker said. “Saturday was looking like it was going to be an easy game. (Until) They pushed in the ninth. Bad teams could fold there and end up losing the game.”

With junior infielder Nu’u Contrades still hobbled from an injury, sophomore infielder Austen Roellig was forced from his position at third base, leaving a gap for the Sun Devils at the hot corner. 

However, junior infielder Dominic Longo took full advantage of the opportunity in his second start of the season at third base, making multiple on-the-move throws. 

Bloomquist praised Longo's defensive flexibility and willingness to move around the diamond, adding that he did a tremendous job at third. 

With ASU in the midst of playing five games in six days, Bloomquist takes Longo’s maneuverability into special consideration.

“We're going to need that flexibility,” Bloomquist said. “That's something that he's able to do, and does a really good job at.”

While it may be difficult for some, Longo said he finds joy in the challenge of playing multiple positions, only making small changes to his playstyle.  

“The biggest adjustment for me is my arm slot going from the outfield to the infield,” Longo said. “It's kind of fun to be able to switch between both those positions.” 

The Sun Devils look to continue their momentum into Monday, where the team faces a familiar foe, this time hosting Arizona for the team's sixth game in seven days.

Despite the tight schedule, Bloomquist said a stretch with little downtime is a good experience for those hoping to play at the next level. 

“You're getting a small taste of what pro ball is like,” Bloomquist said. “Don't give me that you're tired and run down after six games. That's a walk in the park at the next level.”

For those in the area looking to see stars, Bloomquist put it simply when speaking about Hairston. 

“I would tell people in the area, you got a chance to see a phenomenal player here in Tempe, come out and watch him play,” Bloomquist said. “This is your opportunity to watch a future superstar.”