PHOENIX – A pitching duel on both sides went in favor of No. 1 TCU as No. 17 Sun Devil Baseball fell in the series opener, 3-0, in front of 4,077 fans on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Starting left-hander Brett Lilek (0-1) struck out a season-high seven, allowed just one earned run and tossed four consecutive scoreless frames to end his six-inning outing. He scattered six hits and two walks, and stranded four runners on base, but an error at home plate in the second inning led to a pair of runs.
TCU starting left-hander Preston Morrison (2-0) allowed just three hits and a walk in a complete-game shutout. He retired 11 consecutive batters at one point, struck out five and needed just 88 pitches to earn his second win of the season.
ASU right-hander Hever Bueno set a career high with three strikeouts in two innings of relief and left-hander Tucker Baca pitched a perfect ninth inning in his second career appearance in as many games.
Second baseman Jordan Aboites drove a triple down the right-field line with one out in the top of the first, but the Sun Devils (3-2) were unable to bring him home after a strikeout and a groundout. DiNatale singled with one out in the fifth and left fielder Jake Peevyhouse added a two-out single in the ninth for ASU.
The Horned Frogs (5-0) struck first in the top of the second via a leadoff double, a sacrifice bunt and an error at the plate. Catcher Evan Skoug knocked a leadoff double to right field and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Right fielder Nolan Brown then hit a chopper to third base and ASU third baseman Dalton DiNatale’s tough throw to home was dropped by catcher Brian Serven to allow the first run to score. Shortstop Keaton Jones followed with a single up the middle to put TCU ahead, 2-0.
Lilek struck out a pair in the top of the third to strand two and did not concede a run until Bueno replaced him to open the seventh inning.
TCU extended its lead to three with a delayed double steal in the top of the eighth. A pair of singles put runners at the corners, and Skoug, who broke for second, was caught in a rundown between first and second before designated hitter Connor Wanhanen stole home and evaded the throw.
Notes
Freshman Ryan Lillard made his first career start at designated hitter.
Up Next
The Devils host No. 1 TCU for in the second game of its three-game series Saturday, Feb. 21. The game will be live streamed via thesundevils.com and broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Tim Healey (PxP) and Seth Dhaenens (color).
Saturday’s Pitching Matchup
TCU: LHP Tyler Alexander (0-0, 0.00)
ASU: RHP Ryan Kellogg (1-0, 5.40)