PHOENIX – Starting left-hander Ryan Kellogg and No. 17 Sun Devil Baseball took a two-run lead into the eighth inning, but a late homer gave Long Beach State a 4-2 win in front of 3,017 fans on Saturday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Center fielder Johnny Sewald scored in both the first and sixth innings, and Kellogg held the Dirtbags (9-5) at bay through seven innings to give the Sun Devils (8-5) a 2-0 lead, but LBSU hit a three-run homer in the top of the eighth to take its first lead of the game, 3-2. They added a run in the top of the ninth for a 4-2 advantage and Arizona State was unable to bring home the tying run from first in the bottom of the final frame.
Kellogg pitched into the eighth inning for the third consecutive start and registered his 20th career quality start, but took a no-decision for the first time this season. He struck out a season-high eight and was responsible for two runs on five hits and two walks. Kellogg retired the first six batters he faced, and conceded three singles and allowed just one runner to reach second base through the first seven innings, but was replaced in the top of the eighth after he gave up a pair of singles to start the frame.
Sewald was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the first, stole his seventh base of the season and scored three batters later on a RBI single from designated hitter RJ Ybarra. Right fielder Trever Allen plated Sewald in the sixth inning on a RBI single following a leadoff walk from Sewald and a single by shortstop Colby Woodmansee.
Second baseman Jordan Aboites (0-2) took the mound in the eighth inning after the Dirtbags chased Kellogg with a pair of leadoff singles. Aboites made an athletic play on a bunt in the next at-bat to get the lead runner out at third, but right fielder Zack Rivera hit a three-run homer over the left-field wall on a full count to put LBSU ahead by one, 3-2.
The Dirtbags tacked on a run in the ninth via a leadoff triple from left fielder Alex Bishop and a RBI single from third baseman Jonathan Serven and pushed their advantage to two.
Third baseman David Greer and Sewald each singled in the bottom of the ninth and to bring the winning run to the plate, but left fielder Coltin Gerhart flew out to right field to end the threat.
LBSU starting right-hander Tanner Brown scattered five hits and a pair of runs across 6 2/3 innings in a no decision. Right-hander Austin McGeorge recorded a looking strikeout with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to earn his second win of the year and right-hander Ty Provencher (4) picked up his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Notes
Right-hander Hever Bueno allowed one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning...freshman left-hander Eli Lingos struck out one in a perfect ninth...Woodmansee recorded his eighth multi-hit game of the season and Greer added a pair of singles for his first multi-hit game of the year…Woodmansee extended his on-base streak to 13, or every game this season…ASU moved to 39-11 all-time against LBSU.
Up Next
ASU closes out its three-game series with Long Beach State on Sunday, March 8, at 12:30 p.m. at Phoenix Muni. The game will be live streamed via thesundevils.com and Blaze Radio will have the broadcast.
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.
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