May 12, 2012
SPOKANE, Wash. - Michael Benjamin collected a career-high five RBI and right-hander Trevor Williams became the first 10-game winner in the Pac-12 as the 19th-ranked Arizona State baseball team took down Gonzaga 10-1 on Saturday night at Patterson Baseball Complex in Spokane, Wash.
The Sun Devils (31-17) hit a trio of home runs in the first three innings, including a three-run shot by Benjamin in the first frame, to jump out to an early eight-run lead. Benjamin went 4-for-5 went with a home run and three singles.
Williams (10-2) allowed one run on four hits and struck out six in seven innings. He issued no walks for the fifth straight game and has not walked a batter in 40 consecutive innings dating back to April 6 against Oregon State.
Right-hander Robert Ravago pitched a perfect eighth inning and left-hander Matt Dunbar loaded the bases with one out in the ninth before closing out the game with a strikeout and a groundout.
ASU put up five runs on four hits in the first inning as they brought 11 batters to the plate. Joey DeMichele drove in the first run of the game on an RBI double to score Deven Marrero from first and James McDonald added an RBI single to bring around DeMichele two batters later. Benjamin came through with his three-run homer to score Abe Ruiz, who reached base on an error by the shortstop, and McDonald.
DeMichele and Ruiz led off the second inning with consecutive singles and both scored later in the frame on a fielder's choice by Benjamin and an RBI single by Nathaniel Causey, respectively, to add two runs for ASU.
The Bulldogs (29-19) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI fielder's choice to score the leadoff hitter, who reached on a single.
Andrew Aplin and Ruiz each hit a solo home run in the third inning to stretch ASU's lead to eight, 9-1.
Benjamin extended the Devils' advantage to nine as he picked up his fifth RBI of the game on a single in the eighth inning.
Gonzaga starting left-hander Derek Callahan (3-2) did escape the first inning and took his second loss of the season after conceding five runs, including two earned, on four hits in 2/3 innings.
The Sun Devils take on Gonzaga at 1 p.m. Sunday for the series finale in Spokane. Be sure to join the ASU media relations live chat for updates, commentary and more. The link can be found on a href= "http://www.thesundevils.com/sports/m-basebl/asu-m-basebl-body.html"> thesundevils.com
Sunday's projected pitching matchup:
ASU - RHP Alex Blackford (1-3, 6.12 ERA)
Gonzaga - LHP Marco Gonzalez (6-1, 1.60 ERA)
Game notes: This is the third time this season the Sun Devils have recorded three home runs (at UCLA on March 18 and vs. USC on April 15)...