Sun Devil Baseball's Tulloch Named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week
PHOENIX – Sun Devil Baseball's Adam Tulloch set the tone for ASU's three-game sweep over San Francisco this past weekend and has been named the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week as a result, as announced by the league office today.
Tulloch went 7.0 innings against the Dons, holding them to three runs while striking out a career-high 13 batters with no walks. His efforts were pivotal in allowing the Sun Devil offense a chance to finally break through with a massive grand slam from Ethan Long in the bottom of the seventh to break open a tight game and give ASU an 8-3 lead en route to the series-opening victory.
Tulloch's 13 strikeouts were the most for a Sun Devil since Jake Borup had 13 on March 28, 2010 against Cal. It was the most of Tulloch's career at any level, topping games where he had 12 at Wingate and the College of Central Florida early in his career.
In his four starts this season, Tulloch has given the Sun Devils three quality starts while posting a team-best 2.16 ERA and a 2-0 record, tossing 25.0 innings with 36 strikeouts to just seven walks and holding opponents to a meager .141 average.
Not a single left-handed hitter has gotten a hit off of Tulloch this year (0-for-27) while the transfer has been lockdown with two outs, holding opponents to 2-for-25 hitting (.080). Oddly, Tulloch's lone glaring weakness has been against lead off men, who are reaching at a .370 clip (10-of-27). But he has made up for it by holding opponents to .156 batting (5-of-32) with runners on the base path.
Tulloch is currently 18th in the nation and third in the Pac-12 with 36 strikeouts this season while sitting 33rd in the country and third in the league with a 4.32 hits per nine innings allowed this year. He has given up just 12 hits on the year, tied for first among Pac-12 starting pitcher's with UCLA's Jake Brooks.
His overall ERA is 2.88, which is tied with teammate Kyle Luckham for third in the Pac-12 this season and the duo also sits tied for third with 25.0 innings pitched on the year as well. Opponents are reaching base at a paltry .140 clip overall on the season, also tied for third-lowest in the Pac-12 – second among Pac-12 starting pitchers.
Tulloch is Sun Devil Baseball's first Player of the Week this season and the first time an ASU pitcher has earned the weekly conference honor since Ryan Hingst did so following his no-hitter in 2016. ASU opens Pac-12 play on the road this weekend, scheduled to take on Oregon State beginning Friday night in Corvallis.