SURPRISE, Ariz. (Interstat) — The Arizona State Sun Devils defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats 10-2 on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Surprise Stadium in a Big 12 contest. The Sun Devils improved to 37-18, while the Bearcats dropped to 37-20.

Cincinnati struck first in the top of the first inning. Tyranski doubled to left center, stole third and scored on a groundout by Pitts, giving the Bearcats a 2-0 lead. The Bearcats loaded the bases with two walks but left them stranded.

Arizona State answered in the bottom of the first. Dean Toigo singled, and Dominic Smaldino followed with a two-run homer to deep right field, his 16th of the season, tying the game at 2-2.

The Sun Devils took the lead in the second inning. Matthew Polk singled and advanced on a passed ball, then moved to third on a groundout. A throwing error by shortstop Niehaus allowed Polk to score, giving Arizona State a 3-2 advantage.

Arizona State added two unearned runs in the third. After an error put Toigo on base, a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice bunt advanced runners. Michel grounded out to short, scoring Toigo. Polk then singled up the middle to drive in Smaldino, making it 5-2.

The pivotal moment came in the fourth inning. Moutzouridis tripled to deep left field. Landon Hairston then homered to deep right field, his 28th of the season, scoring Moutzouridis and extending the lead to 7-2. The Sun Devils never looked back.

Polk added a solo home run in the seventh, his fourth of the season, to push the lead to 8-2. In the eighth, Hairston singled and Contrades singled, then both stole bases. Toigo doubled to left center, driving in both runners to make it 10-2.

Cincinnati scored its only other run in the top of the eighth. Mitchelle singled, and pinch hitter Sefcik doubled to deep center, scoring Mitchelle from first.

Arizona State’s pitching was dominant. Taylor Penn worked three innings, allowing one hit and striking out five while earning the win. Kole Klecker pitched four innings, giving up three hits and one earned run with five strikeouts. Sean Fitzpatrick and Eli Buxton combined for a scoreless ninth, with Buxton striking out two.

For the Bearcats, Adam Buczkowski pitched 2.1 innings of hitless ball but allowed an unearned run. Nathan Taylor gave up two earned runs over three innings, striking out one.

Polk was the top star, going 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and a stolen base. Hairston finished 2 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs. Toigo went 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Smaldino hit a homer and drove in two runs.

Cincinnati managed six hits. Tyranski had a double and a single. Coats walked twice and singled.

The Bearcats took an early lead but could not contain Arizona State’s offense, which capitalized on defensive miscues and delivered key hits.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Cincinnati 8, Arizona State 7. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Arizona State with a 57.60 percent probability to win. Arizona State had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5.