Landon Hairston claims ASU single season record in Surprise during Big 12 Conference Tournament

SURPRISE – Just one hit.

That’s all it took in the bottom of the fourth inning Thursday night for sophomore outfielder Landon Hairston to write his name in Arizona State baseball history, winning 10-2 over Cincinnati and propelling the Sun Devils into Friday’s semifinals of the Big 12 tournament against West Virginia.

As Hairston rounded the bases for the 28th time this season, he crowned himself as the record holder for most home runs in a single season in ASU history, surpassing the previous holder, Mitch Jones, who hit 27 in 2000.

“Feels amazing to be a part of something in such a storied program,” Hairston said. “It means the world to me. There are no words to describe it.”

Hairston, who claimed Big 12 Player of the Year honors just last week, ended the regular season with a .421 batting average, 27 home runs and 77 RBIs .

“It’s amazing, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to coach him, recruit him, get him here, and have him essentially be the cornerstone of a very good offense for us,” coach Willie Bloomquist said. “Just super proud of the way he’s handled the attention, for lack of a better term. He’s done a great job with just staying even keel.”

The sophomore Golden Spikes semifinalist made giant strides for his second year in Tempe.

For his freshman campaign, Hairston started 49 games and ended the season with a .333 batting average and four home runs, his first home run coming against Cincinnati.

Maturity was a key factor in his growth, turning him into the player the sports world sees today.

“The year, the year older and the year stronger and all that stuff, and the experience is again just a pure hitter, right?” Bloomquist said. “The home runs will happen as a result, and I think the proof’s in the pudding with that. So he’s done a great job of it.”

In his sophomore year, he was quickly dubbed “Hairy Bonds” after ASU legend and MLB superstar Barry Bonds for his offensive prowess. 

With that nickname and historic season comes a lot of pressure, but Hairston can deliver a sigh of relief after watching his 28th home run of the season sail over the right field wall.

““It was a big weight off my shoulders, that’s for sure, just super excited,” he said. “I knew right when left the bat and it was going. No better feeling in the world when you square up a ball like that and you know it’s gone.”

Making history at Arizona State is an honor in itself, but it goes even deeper when you are the hometown kid.

Hairston is an Arizona native from Queen Creek and attended Casteel High School.

“Big part of my family was there today, so that’s a huge advantage playing for your hometown team, having your family at every game,” Hairston said. “This isn’t Muni, but it’s pretty close. So, having my family, my friends, people I grew up with at these type of games is special.”

With the weight lifted off his shoulders, and the rest of the postseason ahead, Hairston is just giving it his all.

“Now it’s just go out and play, give your all, and not worrying about external things anymore,” Hairston said. “What’s done is done, and now let’s just focus on going one at-bat at a time.”

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