Spring is in full swing across Arizona, and the sports scene is buzzing. From college baseball to the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Rising FC, and the Arizona Rattlers, there's no shortage of action. But all eyes were on Houston this week as Arizona State baseball kicked off a crucial three-game road series.

The Sun Devils rallied late to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Cougars on Thursday night, May 14, setting the tone for their final regular-season matchup before the Big 12 tournament.

ASU (35-17) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, thanks to a Dominic Smaldino RBI single that brought Landon Hairston home, followed by a Dean Toigo sacrifice fly. But Houston (23-30) refused to back down. Dylan Maxcey crushed a two-run homer in the fifth inning, and Carsten Sabathia added a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh, flipping the script and giving the Cougars a 3-2 advantage.

With their backs against the wall, the Sun Devils answered in the eighth. Smaldino delivered again with an RBI double, then came around to score on a Houston error, pushing ASU back in front, 4-3.

Reliever Derek Schaefer shut the door in the ninth, needing just 12 pitches to retire the side in order and seal the win.

The series continues with games on May 15 and 16, as both teams look to build momentum heading into postseason play. For the Sun Devils, this road win is exactly the spark they needed.