April 12, 2002
LOS ANGELES -- Arizona State sophomore Rod Allen drilled a one-out single to left field to break a 3-3 tie in the top of the 11th inning to lift the 16th-ranked Sun Devils to a 4-3 victory over the UCLA Bruins in Pac-10 baseball action Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Allen's big hit was helped seal the victory for sophomore relief pitcher Ryan Schroyer who was phenomenal in picking up the victory. Schroyer battled throughout his four-inning outing, ending with five strikeouts to improve to 3-1 on the year.
"We battled all night long and just kept strong in the late innings," said ASU head coach Pat Murphy. "Mike Esposito was phenomenal tonight and what Ryan Schroyer did down the stretch was just amazing. We got clutch hits from some young players that haven't been in that position before. This is a big win for us."
With the victory the Sun Devils improve to 23-12 on the year and are now 7-3 in Pac-10 play. UCLA has lost nine of its last 10 games to fall to 14-21 overall and 1-3 in conference play. ASU has won five of the last seven vs. the Bruins and now leads the all-time series 92-54. The victory also broke a three-game losing streak at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Allen's single to left field came with one out after freshman shortstop Dustin Pedroia tabbed a one-out single up the middle. After a stolen base, Allen drilled a ball down the left field line to score Pedroia for the eventual game-winning hit.
Bruin reliever Doug Silva was saddled with the loss, falling to 0-2 on the year by giving up two hits and the one run in one and a third innings. UCLA starter Chris Cordeiro recorded the no-decision, giving up eight hits and three runs in six and two-thirds innings. He struck out four and walked one to remain 1-4 on the year. Reliever Mike Kunes gave a solid performance for the Bruins out of the bullpen, striking out six and allowing only one hit over three innings.
Sun Devil starting pitcher Mike Esposito pitched well while picking up the no-decision, scattering five hits and three runs in seven innings. He struck out five and walked only one to remain 6-4 on the year. Schroyer's four-inning relief appearances was the longest of his career and with his five strikeouts, now has 29 in 18.2 innings as a reliever.
Freshman third baseman Jeff Larish led ASU's 11-hit attack with a career-best 4-for-5 game. Allen and Pedroia both added multi-hit games in the victory.
For the 21st time in 35 games this season, the Devils jumped out to the lead with a run in the opening frame. Three consecutive singles from Steve Garrabrants, Larish and Andre Ethier scored the Devils first tally. The Bruins pushed home the tying run in the bottom half of the inning on a bunt single by right fielder Ben Francisco.
After four scoreless innings from Esposito, the Bruins forged ahead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. Consecutive triples from Ryan Rasmussen, Chris Jensen and Francisco. Before the two-run sixth, Esposito had allowed only a pair of singles to Francisco.
The Sun Devils tied the game on a two-out, two-run home run deep over the trees beyond the right field fence at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Garrabrants came up with a clutch, two-out, 10-pitch walk to set the stage for Larish to belt his first career home run.
UCLA threatened in the bottom of the eight by putting two runners on base with no outs. After a leadoff walk and a Sun Devil error, Schroyer retired the side by coaxing a 6-4-3 double play and then got Jensen to ground out to end the threat. Kunes then struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning.
The Sun Devils and Bruins will continue the three-game Pac-10 series with a 1 p.m. game Saturday at Jackie Robison Stadium. ASU is expected to start junior left-hander Bryce Kartler (2-3, 5.48) against UCLA freshman lefty Wes Whisler (2-1, 4.20).
Game Notes: The Sun Devils made their first appearance at Jackie Robinson Stadium since the 1999 season... ASU used its 19th consecutive different starting lineup... the Devils have now scored in the first inning in 21 of their 35 games this year with the single tally in the first... the run in the first also extended ASU's NCAA record of consecutive games scored to 410 dating back to April 7, 1995... former ASU assistant coach Phil Snow, who is now a coach at UCLA was at the game to watch his nephew, ASU shortstop Dustin Pedroia... ASU played its first extra-inning game of 2002 after playing five last year.
Arizona State 4, UCLA 3 (Apr 12, 2002 at Los Angeles, Calif.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona State....... 100 000 200 01 - 4 11 1 (23-12, 7-3 PAC-10) UCLA................ 100 002 000 00 - 3 6 1 (12-21, 1-3 PAC-10) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Arizona State - Esposito, Schroyer(8). UCLA - Cordeiro, Kunes(7), Silva(10). Win-Schroyer(3-1) Loss-Silva(0-2) T-3:33 A-637 HR ASU - Larish (1).