May 1, 2010
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - A four-run first inning was all the offense #2 Arizona State would need on Saturday at Jackie Robinson Stadium, as the Sun Devils beat #4 UCLA 6-1 to clinch the Pac-10 series. Merrill Kelly and Brady Rodgers combined to hold UCLA to only one run, forcing the Bruins to strand 12 runners to help ASU improve to 37-5, 13-4 in Pac-10 play.
Kelly lasted 5.2 innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out three to pick up the win to go to 9-0 on the year. Rodgers pitched the last 3.1, striking out four to earn his third save of the season.
The Sun Devils struck early against UCLA ace Trevor Bauer, plating four runs in the top of the first. Riccio Torrez brought home two with a single to left, then Zach Wilson brought home another with a single of his own. Raoul Torrez made it 4-0 with an RBI single that scored brother Riccio.
Arizona State added another run in the second in controversial fashion. With Drew Maggi at second and Kole Calhoun at first with two away, the runners broke for a double steal. The pitch got away from UCLA catcher Trevor Brown and Maggi headed for home. The throw from Brown to Bauer appeared to beat Maggi, but he was called safe, giving ASU the 5-0 lead.
UCLA would get a run back off Kelly in the third, scoring a run on a bases loaded bunt single by Cody Keefer. The Sun Devils would add another run in the fifth on a Matt Newman sac fly to make it 6-1.
The Bruins continued to threaten in almost every inning, but Kelly and Rodgers were able to pitch out of several jams, inducing three double plays, including one that ended the game with two men on and one out.
Drew Maggi, Riccio Torrez and Johnny Ruettiger all had two hits for ASU, with Torrez driving in two. Maggi also stole two bases, bringing his season total to 27.
The Sun Devils and Bruins will wrap up their series on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. from Jackie Robinson Stadium.