PHOENIX – Brian Serven drove a two-out single to left field in the bottom of the ninth to give No. 12 Sun Devil Baseball a 4-3 walk-off win against No. 24 Oregon State in front of 3,829 fans on Saturday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Arizona State scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to rally from a 3-1 deficit and right-handed reliever Ryan Burr held OSU scoreless in the top of the ninth to set the stage for Serven’s game winner.
Left fielder Jake Peevyhouse singled off OSU pitcher Zack Reser, shortstop Colby Woodmansee dropped a base hit into left field and right fielder Trever Allen was hit by a pitch with two outs to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth. Serven took a first pitch strike before he drove the next pitch into left field for a RBI single and the Sun Devils’ (11-6, 1-1) third walk-off win of the season.
Starting left-hander Ryan Kellogg allowed three runs on six hits in the first two innings before he settled down and scattered just three hits over the next five scoreless frames to close out his fifth start of the season. He notched his third straight quality start and the 22nd of his career, and did not issue a walk for the third time this year and the 16th start of his career.
First baseman Joey Bielek tied his career high with three hits, including a two-out, game-tying RBI single in the eighth. Serven went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and three others tallied a pair of hits, including Allen, Peevyhouse and Woodmansee.
The Beavers (15-4, 1-1) tallied six hits in the opening two frames as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before ASU countered with a run in the bottom half of the second.
OSU first baseman KJ Harrison knocked a two-out single up in the middle for the game’s first hit and designated hitter Gabe Clark followed with a RBI double to left field to put the Beavers on the scoreboard, 1-0.
Both teams led off their respective frames in the second with triples and combined for three runs on six hits in the inning. The Beavers used a triple from left fielder Joe Gillette and three singles to push their lead to three, but a triple by Allen and a RBI single by third baseman David Greer cut the Devils’ deficit to two, 1-3.
ASU right-hander Hever Bueno took over with no outs and runners on first and second in the top of the eighth, and induced a pair of groundouts after a one-out single to end the inning with the bases loaded.
The Devils scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to knot the game at three runs apiece. Woodmansee doubled to lead off the inning and Allen walked two at-bats later before Serven and Bielek each delivered RBI singles to tie the game at three runs apiece.
Burr (3-0) gave up a leadoff single to start the ninth, but Serven caught him stealing second to clear the bases. Burr issued a walk to the next batter, but he struck out the next two Beavers he faced to end the frame and earn his third win of the season.
Reser (0-1) was responsible for the winning run and took his first loss of the season. Starting right-hander Drew Rasmussen conceded just one run on seven hits and a walk, in 6 2/3 innings.
Eleven members of the 1964 and 1965 Arizona State baseball teams threw out the ceremonial first pitch as part of the program’s Legacy Foundation celebration this weekend. 1964 marked the first season ASU played at Phoenix Muni, while 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1965 National Championship team, the first in program history. The former players who threw out first pitches included Tony Alesci, Jim Armstrong, Duffy Dyer, Skip Hancock, Randy Linder, John Pavlik, Erin Peterson, Al Schmelz, Jack Smitheran, Doug Westley and David Lagunas on behalf of his brother, Luis.
Notes
The Devils moved to 48-29 all-time against the Beavers…ASU is now 4-4 against ranked opponents this season and is 5-3 in one-run games.
Up Next
The Sun Devils close out their three-game series against two-time defending Pac-12 champion Oregon State on March 15. Sunday’s game will begin at 1 p.m. and will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks with JB Long and JT Snow on the call. NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 will broadcast the game with Tim Healey and Max Rossiter on the call.
Weekend Promotions/Recognitions
SUNDAY: Kids Run The Bases/Autographs
Sunday’s Projected Pitching Matchup
OSU: RHP Travis Eckert (2-0, 2.70 ERA)
ASU: LHP Brett Lilek (1-1, 4.91 ERA)
Family Section, Family Four Pack
The Family Section, located in Section 20 on the third-base line near the picnic area, does not permit alcohol or inappropriate language. A general admission ticket is the only requirement to gain entry into the section. Family Four Pack’s include four tickets to the game, four big hot dogs and four 32 oz. fountain drinks, and start at just $60. The first Family Four Pack of the season is available now for the Devils’ three-game series against Oregon State March 13-15. Following the series against the Beavers, Family Four Packs will be available for all home mid-week and Sunday games the rest of the season. Click here to purchase.
2015 Flex and Mini Plans
Flex and Mini Plans are available now for the 2015 season at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. A Flex Plan allows fans to receive discounted prices up to 46 percent without having to choose games in advance. Fans will receive nine ticket vouchers that are redeemable for any game, in any quantity, in the infield reserved seating sections. Mini Plans offer fans the opportunity to pick and choose any five games this season. Click here to view Flex and Mini Plan options.
Transitioning The Legacy Campaign
Season ticket holders 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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