March 15, 2000
Arizona State scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth but fell short as the 11th-ranked Cal State Fullerton Titans defeated the Devils 5-4 at Packard Stadium on Tuesday night. ASU falls to 20-6 on the year while CSFU improves to 10-7.
Sophomore lefty Franco Pezely, in his first start of the season, was roughed up early by the Titans, giving up two runs in the top of the first. Releiver Robby Milner didn't fair any better in the second inning, also allowing two CS Fullerton runners to score.
ASU got on the board with one run in the bottom of the first and made it a 4-2 game with another run in the third.
After the Titans scored an insurance run off releiver Luke Field in the top of the seventh, the Devils were looking at a 3-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Junior Jonah Martin was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After an out and a pitching change, senior Mitch Jones hit a ground-rule double down the left field line moving Martin to third. Martin scored on a wild pitch by reliever Mike Nunez while Jones advanced to third. Catcher Casey Myers walked while Jones scored on another Nunez wild pitch. After Jeff Phelps reached on a fielder's choice, third baseman Mike Lopez hit an infield single, moving Phelps to second. After another Titan pitching change, pinch hitter John Gusich hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
Winning pitcher for CSFU was reliever Kirk Saarloos who threw 5.1 innings allowing only one run on three hits while striking out four. George Carralejo picked up his first save of the season pitching 0.1 innings for the Titans.
Taking the loss for the Sun Devils was Franco Pezely (2-2) who went 1.0 inning, allowing two runs of four hits with a strikeout. Reliever Drew Friedberg kept the game close pitching 4.0 shutout innings in relief with four strikeouts and no walks.
Brooks Conrad, Casey Myers and Jeff Duncan each collected two hits for the Devils. Conrad also scored two of Arizona State's four runs.
ASU opens a four-game non-conference series on Thursday, March 16 against the Maine Black Bears at Packard Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m. For more information, please contact the ASU ticket office at 480-965-2381.