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SURPRISE, Ariz. – The 29th-ranked Arizona State University baseball team scored 10 runs over the final four innings to defeat Gonzaga, 10-5, on Friday in the second day of the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz.
Freshman catcher Brian Serven tallied a career-high four hits, sophomore third baseman Dalton DiNatale recorded a pair of RBI to add to his team-leading total and redshirt junior right fielder Trever Allen capped off the Sun Devils’ (5-4) offensive charge with an eighth-inning grand slam.
ASU starting right-hander Ryan Burr (1-1) earned his first win of the season and his first career as a starter as he logged a career-high six innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out a pair.
The Bulldogs (2-8) struck first with a two-out RBI single in the second inning and added one more run in the fifth as second baseman Caleb Wood took a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and came home on another sacrifice bunt to go ahead, 2-0.
The Devils used a pair of run-scoring doubles in consecutive innings to take a 3-2 lead. Second baseman Tucker Esmay drove in the Devils’ first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth with a double to left field that scored first baseman David Graybill from first. Sophomore designated hitter RJ Ybarra and Serven each singled in the sixth before crossing home plate on DiNatale’s two-run double.
The Bulldogs threatened to retake the lead in the top of the seventh after Burr walked the first two batters of the frame, but redshirt freshman left-hander Nick Diamond took the mound and recorded three consecutive outs to end the scoring risk and keep the Devils’ one-run lead intact.
ASU secured three runs in the bottom of the seventh to extend its advantage to four, 6-2. Sophomore shortstop Jordan Aboites led off the frame with a triple and center fielder Johnny Sewald drove him home in the next at-bat with a single up the middle, Serven added an RBI single three batters later and Allen scored on a double-play groundout from DiNatale.
GU again threatened in the top of the eighth as they scored three runs on two walks and three singles, but freshman right-hander Eder Erives, in his team-high fifth appearance of the season, induced a popup to Aboites to end the frame. Fellow freshman right-hander Hever Bueno closed out the ninth.
Gonzaga starting right-hander Brandon Bailey (0-2) conceded four runs on seven hits in six innings in his second loss of the year.
Up Next
The Sun Devils continue their four-game set in Surprise, Ariz., at the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic at Surprise Stadium, spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. ASU takes on Oklahoma on March 1 and Oklahoma State on March 2, and each game will begin approximately at 4:30 pm, or 40 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding spring training game.
Saturday’s Pitching Matchup
OU: RHP Jake Elliott (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
ASU: LHP Ryan Kellogg (0-1, 5.75 ERA)
Notes
Coach Esmay moved to 77-20-1 in non-conference games at ASU…the Devils moved to 15-2-1 all-time against Gonzaga…ASU moved to 28-11-1 all-time in the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic in Surprise…the Bulldogs put runners on first and third with two outs in the top of the fourth, but Burr recorded a swinging strikeout to end the threat…Allen’s grand slam was the first by a Sun Devil since Nate Causey’s against Cal May 12, 2013.
Tip Your Cap To Packard Celebration
17 Days of Greatness – Center fielder Mike Kelly (1989-91) will become the 17th Sun Devil to have his number honored on the outfield fence in a ceremony on March 8. From Feb. 20 through March 7, we’re taking a look back at the 16 Sun Devil greats whose numbers have already been recognized.
Season tickets starting at $99, single-game tickets and Mini Packs are on sale now. Admission for ASU students is free with a valid Sun Card. Purchasing season tickets will also give fans first opportunity and priority at selecting seats at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in 2015. Ariz.
Join the conversation all season using the hashtag #OccupyPackard
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