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PULLMAN, Wash. - The 21st-ranked Arizona State University baseball team extended their season-long winning streak to eight games with a 12-8 series-opening win over Washington State on Friday night at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Wash.
The Sun Devils (32-21, 18-10), who hold the fifth-longest active winning streak in the nation and the program’s longest streak since April 2011, took sole possession of third place in the Pac-12 and are two games out of second.
ASU rallied from an early four-run deficit and used a six-run eighth inning to take their first lead of the game. A leadoff triple by right fielder Trever Allen and a RBI single by third baseman Dalton DiNatale started the scoring, a fielding error on a fly ball to center field from pinch hitter Chris Beall stretched the Devils' advantage to four and a RBI single by first baseman Nate Causey capped off the game-changing frame.
The top three batters in ASU’s lineup accounted for seven hits, five RBI and five runs scored. Center fielder Johnny Sewald went 3-for-6 with a pair of runs, shortstop Drew Stankiewicz added two hits, two RBI and two runs, and left fielder Jake Peevyhouse recorded a pair of hits and two RBI.
Right-hander Jordan Aboites (5-2) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn his fifth relief win of the season. Starting left-hander Brett Lilek, who set down the final batter he faced with a looking strikeout in the sixth, allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out six in a no-decision. He tossed five shutout frames and retired seven straight between the fourth and sixth innings.
The Cougars (23-29, 13-15) plated four runs in the bottom of the second inning to jump out to an early lead, but ASU responded in the top of the third to cut their deficit to one, 4-3.
WSU loaded the bases with no outs in the second on a pair of singles and a hit batter, and second baseman Luke Stratman cleared them with a three-run double to right-center field. Lilek recorded back-to-back swinging strikeouts, but gave up a RBI single to third baseman Nick Tanielu two batters later.
ASU pushed three runs across in the third inning as they opened the frame with four consecutive base hits, including run-scoring singles from Stankiewicz and Peevyhouse, and added a sacrifice fly to center field from designated hitter RJ Ybarra.
Both teams traded runs in the seventh before the Devils plated six in the eighth and two in the ninth to put them ahead, 12-5. WSU notched three in the bottom of the ninth off ASU left-hander Nick Diamond, but he induced a flyout to left field to secure the win.
WSU right-hander Matt Bower (2-2) took the loss after he was responsible for two runs on two hits in the eighth. Starting left-hander Joe Pistorese scattered eight hits across 6 1/3 innings and allowed four runs in a no decision.
Notes
Allen extended his hitting streaks to 11 games…Peevyhouse has reached base in 19 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team this season…right-hander Eder Erives allowed one run on one hit in 2/3 innings in the seventh.
Up Next
The Sun Devils take on Washington State on May 24 in the second game of the three-game series in Pullman, Wash. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. and will be televised live on the Pac-12 Network with Jason Knapp (PxP) and Kevin Stocker (color) on the call. It will also be broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 and live stats will be available.
Saturday’s Pitching Matchup
ASU: LHP Ryan Kellogg (8-2, 3.21 ERA)
WSU: LHP Jason Monda (2-6, 3.74 ERA)
Postseason Banquet | Register HERE!
Join the Sun Devil Baseball program and fellow supporters for an unforgettable evening. The 31st annual Baseball Postseason Banquet will be held on May 27 on the outfield grass at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $60 or buy a table for 10 people for $600. Fans can also sponsor a student-athlete’s dinner for $60. There will be open parking in front of Packard Stadium in Lot 59.
Renewals for current Sun Devil Baseball season ticket holders are available now for the 2015 season at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Tickets under loyalty pricing, which ends Aug. 1, range from $99 for lawn seating to $335 for reserved/infield box, and season parking passes cost $35.
Transitioning The Legacy Campaign
Season ticket holders will also have an opportunity to make a capital campaign commitment towards the Phoenix Muni renovations. All gifts, no matter the size, are important and appreciated, and can be a one-time gift or a five-year pledge. Fans interested in naming opportunities at Phoenix Muni can contact the Sun Devil Club at 480-727-7700. All commitments are tax-deductible through the Sun Devil Club. Join our community and own a piece of our hometown team.
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