March 19, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. - Seth Blair threw seven strong innings while Kole Calhoun and Zack MacPhee provided the offense as the No. 1 Arizona State University baseball team defeated Houston 10-1 on Friday. A season-high crowd of 4,275 at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark saw the Sun Devils move to 18-0 on the season with the win.
Blair ran into some trouble early, as the Cougars put runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the first. However, he responded by striking out the next three batters to escape the inning with no damage.
The Sun Devils wasted no time in getting on the board in the first, as leadoff hitter Drew Maggi walked and MacPhee then hit a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw to put ASU in front 2-0.
MacPhee then added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 3-0, and the Sun Devils then put the game away with six two-out runs in the sixth. MacPhee drew a bases loaded walk, and then Calhoun blasted a grand slam over the right field fence. Riccio Torrez then followed him up with a solo shot to left center. It was Torrez's team-leading fourth home run of the season, and the first time the Devils have had back-to-back home runs since Carlos Ramirez and Calhoun accomplished the feat on May 16, 2009 against Oregon.
Houston scored its only run in the top of the seventh on a solo home run by Caleb Ramsey. ASU would add its final run in the bottom half of the inning, as Johnny Ruettiger doubled home Zach Wilson to cap off the scoring.
Blair earned the win to improve to 3-0. He went seven innings, the longest outing by an ASU starter this season, allowing just five hits and one run while striking out eight. Alex Blackford and Josh Moody each pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish off the game.
MacPhee and Calhoun led the Sun Devil offensive attack with two hits and four RBI apiece. Maggi and Ruettiger also had two hits each in the victory.
The Sun Devils continue their series with Houston on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.