Feb. 23, 2013
LIVE VIDEO FOR SUNDAY'S GAME | LIVE STATS FOR SUNDAY'S GAME
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The 22nd-ranked Arizona State baseball team notched runs in the opening two frames, but were held scoreless for the final seven innings as Tennessee registered an 11-2 win on Saturday afternoon at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Center fielder Johnny Sewald went 2-for-4 and was one of four freshmen to record a hit for the Sun Devils (3-2).
Right fielder Trever Allen put the Devils on the board first in the top of the opening frame. He hit a two-out base knock, then moved to second on a double by second baseman James McDonald before scoring on a wild pitch on a dropped strike three to third baseman Dalton DiNatale.
Designated hitter Tony DiMartino, making his first career start, led off the second inning with a solo home run, the first of his career, to give the Devils a 2-1 advantage.
The Volunteers (2-4) countered with a run in both the bottom half of the first and second innings to tie the game at two runs apiece, and added a pair in the bottom of the third to take a 4-2 advantage.
UT tacked on five runs in the fifth frame due in part to a throwing error, a wild pitch and a catcher's interference call to extend its lead to seven, 9-2. The Volunteers notched two more runs on three singles in the seventh inning to take a nine-run advantage.
ASU starting left-hander Adam McCreery (0-1) took his first career loss after he gave up five runs, including four earned, on six hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Right-hander Alex Blackford struck out five and allowed four runs, including two earned, on four hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Freshman right-hander Eric Melbostad made his first career appearance in the eighth inning and gave up no hits and one walk.
UT starter Aaron Quillen surrendered two runs on five hits in three innings, and reliever Drake Owenby (1-0) scattered two hits across four scoreless innings to earn the win.
Up Next:
The Sun Devils return to Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Sunday for the series finale against Tennessee. First pitch is at 11 a.m. (MT). Follow the team on Twitter at @ASU_Baseball for live scoring and updates from the weekend, and check thesundevils.com for stats, notes and more.
Sunday's projected pitching matchup:
ASU - Fr. LHP Ryan Kellogg (1-0, 0.00)
UT - Fr. LHP Andy Cox (1-0, 4.50)
Game Notes:
DiNatale and DiMartino made their first career starts at third base and DH, respectively...ASU started three true freshmen with DiNatale, DiMartino and Sewald (CF)...freshman Jordan Aboites replaced Stankiewicz at shortstop in the sixth inning, and freshmen Cullen O'Dwyer and RJ Ybarra entered the game at right field and catcher, respectively, in the eighth inning...sophomore Tucker Esmay entered the game at second base in the eighth...freshmen David Graybill and Chris Beall pinch hit in the eighth.
Twitter: @ASU_Baseball | Facebook: Sun Devil Baseball | Instagram: ASU_Baseball