April 11, 2010
PULLMAN, Wash. - The Sun Devils dropped their first Pac-10 series of the season on Sunday, falling 9-4 at Washington State to give the Cougars the 2-1 series win. It is the first time the Cougars have ever won a series from ASU. The loss drops Arizona State to 28-3, 6-3 in Pac-10 play.
Jake Borup's first inning troubles continued, as he allowed four runs on four hits to give the Cougars an early lead. Unlike the past few weeks, Borup was unable to find his rhythm after the rocky first as he lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on four hits. He walked one and hit three others, taking the loss to fall to 6-1 on the year.
Zack MacPhee started the Sun Devils off in the top of the first, hitting a solo homer to give ASU an early 1-0 lead. It was the third straight game MacPhee has homered in, giving him six on the year. But Washington State answered back in the bottom of the inning, plating four to go ahead 4-1.
Deven Marrero got a run back in the top of the second, belting his second homer of the year to make it 4-2 WSU, but once again the Cougars extended their lead, plating a run in the third without the benefit of a hit. Arizona State would draw closer in the fourth, scoring twice to draw to within one. Raoul Torrez brought home two runs on a single up the middle that made it 5-4.
Washington State would extend their lead again in the sixth on a Matt Argyropoulos homer to left off Mitchell Lambson that made it 6-4. They would add two more runs in the inning to go ahead 8-4, then added another insurance run in the eighth, an unearned run against Brady Rodgers.
Arizona State had opportunities to draw closer all game long, but as was the case all weekend, they were unable to get the big hit when they needed it. ASU stranded nine runners on Sunday and 21 in the three game series, including 14 left in scoring position.
Kole Calhoun had four hits for ASU in the loss, while Zack MacPhee, Zach Wilson and Drew Maggi added two hits apiece.
The Sun Devils return home on Friday night as they host USC for a three-game Pac-10 series. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.