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TEMPE, Ariz. – The Arizona State University baseball team split its two-game midweek series with Wichita State after falling to the Shockers, 12-9, on Wednesday night in front of 2,937 fans at Packard Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
A five-run fifth inning by WSU broke open a 6-6 tie and the Sun Devils (10-9) were unable to regain the lead despite notching 11 hits in the game and having the tying run on deck in the bottom of the ninth.
Sophomore third baseman Dalton DiNatale drove in two runs, junior first baseman Nate Causey and freshman catcher Brian Serven each added a pair of hits, and junior right fielder Jake Peevyhouse scored a pair of runs to lead ASU at the plate.
Redshirt freshman left-hander Nick Diamond (0-2) was responsible for all five runs in the fifth inning, including two earned, on two hits and four walks in a pair of innings in his second loss of the season. Senior starting right-hander Zak Miller was chased with one out in the top of the third after he conceded six runs on nine hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
The Shockers (12-7) got on the scoreboard first with an RBI groundout by first baseman Casey Gillaspie, but ASU countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame to erase its early deficit and jump ahead, 3-1. Causey’s two-out walk led to three consecutive hits for the Devils, including an RBI double by sophomore left fielder Chris Beall and a two-run single by DiNatale.
WSU struck three times in the top of the second to retake the lead, 4-3, behind four hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly. The Shockers added a pair of runs in the third before Diamond replaced Miller with one out and a runner on first, and induced an inning-ending double play.
ASU knotted the game at six runs apiece in the bottom of the fourth as they plated three runs behind sacrifice flies from Causey and freshman shortstop Colby Woodmansee, and an RBI bunt by junior second baseman Drew Stankiewicz.
A five-run fifth inning by the Shockers on three bases-loaded walks and a pair of hits, including a two-run double by right fielder Garrett Bayliff, put WSU ahead, 11-6.
The two teams traded runs in the bottom of the sixth and the top of the seventh, but the Devils scored two runs after the stretch to pull within three, 12-9.
Shockers starting right-hander Garrett Brummett left the game after three innings with a 6-3 lead, but took a no-decision after the Devils tallied three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Brummett allowed four runs, including three earned, on six hits and struck out two.
Notes
The Devils moved to 16-7 all-time against Wichita State…Peevyhouse made his first start of the season at right field and Joey Bielek made his first career start at designated hitter.
Up Next
The Sun Devils travel to Corvallis, Ore., to take on No. 4 Oregon State March 21-23. Both Friday and Sunday’s games against the Beavers will be broadcast by the Pac-12 Networks, with Friday set to begin at 7 p.m. PT and Sunday slated for a 12 p.m. PT start. Jason Knapp (PxP) and Kevin Stocker (color) will have the call. First pitch for Saturday’s game, which will be live streamed via Pac-12.com, will be at 1:35 p.m. PT.
Promotions
Ballots for the All-Packard Team are available now on gamedays at Packard Stadium, so be sure to mark your picks for the best to play at Packard Stadium, or visit azcentral.com to vote online
Tip Your Cap To Packard Celebration – Staff Appreciation
Longtime Sun Devil Baseball staff member Dean Short threw out a ceremonial first pitch on Tuesday
Former Sun Devil Baseball Sports Information Director Preston English (1993-96) attended Tuesday’s game with his four children
Former Sun Devil Baseball Sports Information Director Jeff Evans (2001-05) attend Wednesday’s game
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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