ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Dose of Venom: Arizona Diamondbacks’ first game back brings freshness, win over ASU Sun Devils

Mar 4, 2015, 2:28 AM | Updated: 6:22 am

Follow @AZSports...

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After a troubled 2014 campaign and a front office overhaul, the Arizona Diamondbacks began their 2015 spring training season with a 4-0 win over Arizona State University on Tuesday.

On a crisp spring day, not 12 hours removed from a thorough cleansing of rain, newness permeated the air at Talking Stick Fields: from the manicured lawn clipped that morning to the faces that warmed up on it before the game’s start.

And who could be a more fitting usher to a fresh start than Cory Hahn? He knows a little something about new beginnings.

Hahn now works as a scout for the D-backs and is a former Sun Devil — and a storied one, at that. His journey from a lauded freshman player who was paralyzed from the chest down in his opening game with ASU to inspiration and a D-backs draft pick is one that is well known by fans of either organization.

He threw out the first pitch of the game to his former Arizona State teammate Trever Allen in a touching collision of the two programs, both collegiate and professional.

It wasn’t the only “first” of the game, either.

The matchup between the Sun Devils and D-backs was the inaugural of its kind between the teams, and Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale met ASU skipper Tracy Smith for the first time ever before the game.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

4 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

5 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

7 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

10 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

14 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

15 hours ago

Dose of Venom: Arizona Diamondbacks’ first game back brings freshness, win over ASU Sun Devils