From the outset of the 2015-16 Arizona State baseball season head coach Tracy Smith preached patience.
If you’re familiar with the confident Smith you realize this was no snow job. I only his second season on the bench he opened workouts with a lack of depth, little experience on the mound and the task of replacing his entire starting outfield from last year.
After racing out to a 13-3 start Smith’s Devils weathered a five-game losing streak and have won six-straight three-game series, including four-straight Pac-12 series on the road. ASU (33-19, 15-12) sits in third place just behind leader Utah entering their final series of the regular season this weekend against USC. With a sweep of the Trojans and second-place Washington beating the Utes two of three games, there would be a three-way tie for the conference title.
If you’re looking for answers regarding the Sun Devils’ unexpected success, don’t bother asking Smith.
“Quite frankly, I don’t know how we’re doing this,” he told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat in a phone interview Tuesday morning. “It’s just happening. I’m not going to complain about. I’m not going to try to figure it out. I’m just going to enjoy it.”
One key element he’s enjoying more than anything about this year’s squad is their selflessness. He noted the “good vibe” in the clubhouse which can often carry a team much further than a collection of stars, especially in a team-oriented sport like baseball.
“I like the way we’re playing right now, he said.
As usual, Smith is calling it like he sees it.
Eric Sorenson
