Record breaker! Landon Hairston smashes ASU baseball home run record

Landon Hairston is all by himself now. The Arizona State sophomore and Queen Creek native broke the school record for most home runs in a single season against Cincinnati in the Big 12 tournament in Surprise on May 21, launching a two-run home run, his 28th this season, in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Sun Devils up 7-1. Hairston launched the ball 349 feet.

Hairston surpassed the previous mark held by Mitch Jones, which was set in 2000. He tied Jones last week in the regular-season finale against Houston on May 16. Hariston, the Big 12 Player of the Year and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, is in the midst of one of the best-ever individual seasons in school history.

Entering the game on May 21, Hairston was hitting . 421 with 77 RBIs. Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports.

To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan. stanley@usatodayco. com or 707-293-7650.