PHOENIX –Sun Devil Baseball rallied from an early 6-0 deficit and pulled within a run late in the game before they fell to No. 5 Oklahoma State in the series finale, 9-8, in front of 3,229 fans on Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
A total of 10,360 fans attended Phoenix Muni over the weekend, including more than 4,000 on Friday and the largest Sunday crowd for an ASU home game since March 2011.
Designated hitter RJ Ybarra’s solo home run in the fourth inning put Arizona State on the scoreboard and shortstop Colby Woodmansee’s second homer of the weekend brought them within one in the seventh, but the Sun Devils (2-1) were unable to complete the rally in the final two frames.
ASU held a 12-to-10 advantage in hits over the Cowboys (1-2) behind a 3-for-4 day from first baseman Joey Bielek, two RBI by left fielder Jake Peevyhouse, and two hits and a pair of runs scored from Woodmansee.
Right-handed relievers Hever Bueno, Ryan Hingst and Seth Martinez combined to hold the Cowboys (1-2) scoreless over the final three innings. Starting right-hander Darin Gillies (0-1) struck out five through the first two innings, including the side on 19 pitches to open the game, but took the loss after he was responsible for five runs in the third inning.
The Cowboys used a pair of doubles, a single and a sacrifice fly to drive in six runs in the top of the third and never relinquished their lead.
Ybarra’s solo home run to left field in the fourth sparked a three-run inning for ASU as it cut its deficit in half, 3-6. Left fielder Coltin Gerhart walked in the next at-bat and Woodmansee followed with a double before third baseman David Greer knocked in a RBI single and catcher Zach Cerbo drove home a run on a fielder’s choice.
OSU third baseman Kevin Bradley countered with a two-run home run to center field in the top of the fifth to extend the Cowboys’ advantage to five, 8-3. The Devils matched the Cowboys in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs and brought the go-ahead run to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, but Peevyhouse was tagged out at home attempting to score on a wild pitch.
The Devils again scored a pair of runs and had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Brian Serven knocked a double down the left-field line for his first hit of the season and he scored two batters later on a RBI single from Aboites. Bielek followed with a single of his own and Aboites came home on a sacrifice fly from Allen.
Woodmansee’s solo home run in the bottom of the seventh pulled the Devils within one, 9-8.
OSU loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth, but Martinez induced a foul pop and a groundout to escape the jam and keep the Devils’ deficit to one. Center fielder Johnny Sewald took a walk to lead off the eighth, but Aboites hit into a double play and first baseman Chris Beall grounded out to the shortstop to end the frame.
OSU right-hander Remey Reed (1-0) earned the win after tossing a perfect eighth inning and right-hander Koda Glover (1) registered a 1-2-3 ninth inning to get the save. Starting left-hander Michael Freeman took a no-decision after he allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings.
Notes
Freshman catcher Zach Cerbo made his first career start…freshman left-hander Eli Lingos made his first career appearance and allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three in two innings…the Devils are now 3-4 against the Cowboys since March 2014.
Up Next
The Devils play four games this week against Big 12 opponents, including a midweek contest against Oklahoma on Feb. 18 and a three-game series against No. 2 TCU Feb. 20-22. All four games will be live streamed via thesundevils.com.