Feb. 26, 2006
WACO, Texas - After getting 28 hits and 20 runs during the doubleheader sweep on Saturday, the Sun Devil offense wasn't quite as potent Sunday as Arizona State fell to Baylor 5-3 in the series finale. A bases loaded double by Matt Sodolak in the seventh was the difference, as the Bears rallied to earn the victory.
Matt Trink got the start for the Sun Devils, his first start of his ASU career. After getting out of trouble in the first, he ran into some more in the second inning. After hitting Seth Fortenberry to lead off the inning, Trink walked Matt Sodolak to put two on and no out. After a sac bunt, Baylor had runners at second and third for Chase Gerdes, who singled past Willy Fox at first to give Baylor their first lead of the series at 2-0. Trink would last two innings, giving up two runs and two hits.
Colin Curtis got the Devils on the board in the top of the fifth, singling home J.J. Sferra from second base to pull ASU to within 2-1. Josh Satow, Pat Bresnehan and Daryl Arreola kept the Baylor offense at bay, allowing the ASU bats to try and mount a comeback.
Arizona State pulled even in the sixth, when pinch hitter Brett Wallace hit a rocket over the right field wall to tie the score at 2-2. The Sun Devils edged out in front in the seventh, thanks to some fielding mistakes by the Bears. Ryan Sontag singled to the shortstop, who threw wild to first, allowing Sontag to go to second. He went to third on a balk by Baylor pitcher Cliff Springston, and came home on a single through the right side by Curtis.
However, Baylor would answer right back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three to retake the lead at 5-3. After retiring the leadoff hitter, Daryl Arreola, who came in during the fifth inning, would walk the next batter, ending his afternoon. Drew Bowman relieved him, and walked the first hitter he faced. Bowman induced a ground ball to second by Kevin Russo that could have ended the threat, but Frank Mesa muffed the throw at second, extending the inning. The Bears would take advantage when DH Matt Sodolak doubled down the right field line, knocking in three runs to give Baylor the 5-3 lead.
Bears pitcher Cliff Springston got the Devils in order in the eighth, and Baylor closer Jeff Mandel slammed the door in the ninth, allowing the Bears to snap ASU's win streak at five. ASU falls to 10-5 on the year, while Baylor moves to 6-2. Bowman took the loss, dropping his record to 0-1. Springston picks up the win, his first of the year, and Mandel earned his second save. Colin Curtis finished the afternoon 2-2 with two RBI and two walks.
J.J. Sferra hit .545 on the weekend (6-11), knocking in two runs. Ryan Sontag hit .500 (6-12), scored six times and knocked in three. Ike Davis had five RBI in the three games, giving him a team high 16 on the year. CJ Retherford also had a great series offensively, going 5-10 with four RBI and two runs scored.
The Devils now return to Tempe to host Texas Tech on Tuesday night at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark before Auburn visits over the weekend.