April 21, 2011
BERKELEY, Calif. - In the second-longest game in Arizona State baseball history, the Sun Devils emerged victorious after 17 innings at Evans Diamond, beating California 6-4 on Thursday in Berkeley. Deven Marrero's two-run single in the top of the 17th proved to be the difference, improving ASU to 26-9, 9-4 in Pac-10 play.
The 17 innings was second only to the 18 played by Arizona State and UCLA back on February 23, 1990. ASU won that game 6-5 in Tempe.
After taking one run leads in the 10th and 13th innings, Arizona State scored twice in the 17th to put the game away. Riccio Torrez led off the 17th with a single and then moved to second on a sac bunt by Andy Workman. He advanced to third on a line drive single by Zach Wilson, which led to an intentional walk to Matt Newman to load the bases and set-up a force out at any base. After a Golden Bear pitching change, Deven Marrero sent a base hit passed the diving second baseman, scoring Torrez and Wilson to make it 6-4. Mark Lambson, in his third inning of work, allowed a two-out single but nothing else, securing the victory.
Lambson, one of five Sun Devil pitchers on the day, earned the win after three innings out of the bullpen. He allowed only two hits, striking out three to improve to 2-0 on the year. Brady Rodgers started the game and was outstanding for 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out four. Trevor Williams threw one inning, Mitchell Lambson threw 1.2 innings and Alex Blackford threw four before Mark Lambson finished things off. California used five pitchers of their own, with Louie Lechich (1-1) taking the loss. Cal starter Erik Johnson went nine innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.
The Devils drew first blood, plating a run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. Matt Newman drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an Austin Barnes single to right field. Zach Wilson would make it 2-0 in the third thanks to an RBI single that scored Joey DeMichele from second.
Cal would even things up in the bottom of the fourth against Rodgers thanks to a two-run blast to right by Devon Rodriguez. It looked like the Devils would grab the lead right back in the fifth inning, but a sterling defensive play by Cal kept the game tied. With one gone and Zack MacPhee at first, Riccio Torrez put a ball in the gap for a double. MacPhee tried to score, but was thrown out at home to keep the game even at 2-2. After that play, Johnson retired the next 10 ASU hitters.
Neither team would score again in regulation, sending the game to extra innings. With two out in the 10th, MacPhee drew a walk then moved to third on a Torrez single. Joey DeMichele then gave Arizona State the lead with a high chopper to second that turned into an RBI infield single. But Cal mounted a two-out rally of their own, tying the game off Mitchell Lambson in the bottom of the 10th.
The Sun Devils would again pull ahead in the 13th, grabbing a 4-3 lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Austin Barnes singled through the left side, scoring Joey DeMichele. Zach Wilson was thrown out at home trying to score from second.
The play at the plate proved to be huge, as Cal would score in their half of the 13th. After a leadoff single by Chadd Krist, Devon Rodriguez hit a fly ball to deep right off Alex Blackford. Matt Newman made the catch then tried to double off Krist at first. The throw got away from Zach Wilson at first, allowing Krist to move up to second base. The next batter, Derek Campbell, singled to left center, scoring Krist and tying the game back up at 4-4.
Riccio Torrez set a new career-high with five hits, going 5-8. Zach Wilson collected four hits and an RBI, while MacPhee, Marrero and Barnes each had two hits. Marrero and Barnes both drove in two runs.
The Sun Devils and Golden Bears will play game two of the three-game series on Friday afternoon from Berkeley. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Evans Diamond.