Feb. 28, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. - Clutch home runs by Jordan Swagerty and Carlos Ramirez helped the No. 4 Arizona State University come from behind to defeat No. 22 Oregon State 6-3 in the DeMarini Invitational at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. A season-high 3,547 fans saw the Sun Devils improve to 8-0 on the season with the victory.
Oregon State led 3-0 after three, but ASU rallied back and tied the game on a two-run pinch hit homer to right by Swagerty, his first career home run. Ramirez then hit a solo shot to left in the eighth to put the Sun Devils ahead, and they would add two more in the inning.
Freshman Mitchell Lambson improved to 2-0 on the season, earning the win with three shutout innings out of the bullpen. Seth Blair started and got a no decision, allowing just three hits and one earned run with six strikeouts.
The Beavers got on the board in the first, as Joey Wong scored on a throwing error by Blair. They added more in the third when Stefen Romero drove in two with a double to the right field corner.
ASU cut into the deficit in the fourth, as Jason Kipnis singled to lead off the inning, Ramirez and Zach Wilson drew walks to load the bases, and two batters later, Mike Murphy also drew a walk to put the Devils on the scoreboard.
The home runs by Swagerty and Ramirez put ASU in front, and a sacrifice fly by Murphy and an RBI single by Raoul Torrez capped off the scoring.
Wilson had two hits in the win, and Swagerty and Murphy each had two RBI.
The Sun Devils will wrap up play in the DeMarini Invitational on Sunday, hosting Missouri at 1:30 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. Oregon State will play Northern Illinois at 10 a.m.
In earlier action at the DeMarini Invitational on Saturday, Northern Illinois defeated Missouri 5-2.