Sophomore Outfielder Landon Hairston Breaks Arizona State Home Run Record Landon Hairston became the first Arizona State baseball player to hit 28 home runs in a single season, surpassing the previous record of 27 set by Mitch Jones in 2000. The milestone occurred during a game against Cincinnati on Thursday night, where Hairston’s 28th home run helped Arizona State secure a 10-2 victory and advance to the Big 12 tournament semifinals against West Virginia. Hairston, a sophomore outfielder, rounded the bases for the 28th time this season, officially claiming the record. The achievement was highlighted by his coach, Willie Bloomquist, who praised Hairston’s growth and impact on the team. “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,” 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.” Hairston’s performance this season included a .421 batting average, 27 home runs, and 77 RBIs. He was recently named Big 12 Player of the Year, a recognition of his dominance on the field. His growth from a freshman to a sophomore standout was noted by Bloomquist, who described Hairston’s development as a result of maturity and experience. “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.” Hairston’s journey to this milestone began with his freshman season, during which he started 49 games and posted a .333 batting average with four home runs, including his first against Cincinnati.#big_12_tournament #arizona_state #willie_bloomquist #landon_hairston #barry_bonds
