PHOENIX – Fifth-ranked Sun Devil Baseball led wire-to-wire against No. 24 Arizona en route to a 13-7 victory and their fifth straight Pac-12 series win on Sunday in front of 4,502 fans at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Sun Devils (23-9, 11-3) jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind a pair of two-run doubles in the bottom of the first inning and never trailed in their ninth win over a ranked opponent this season.
Arizona State took a 2-0 lead in the five-game Territorial Cup baseball series and the Devils currently leads the overall Territorial Cup standings, 7.5-5.5, with seven sports still undecided.
Shortstop Colby Woodmansee led the way with four RBI on three hits and three runs scored, third baseman David Greer drove in three runs and catcher Brian Serven added three hits and scored two runs.
Starting left-hander Ryan Kellogg (6-1) improved to 25-5 in his three-year career, including 17-2 in 25 career Pac-12 starts, after he scattered five runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Right-handed reliever Eric Melbostad (2) picked up a 10-out save in his longest outing of his season. He stranded eight runners on base, including the bases loaded in the top of the sixth after he took over for Kellogg with two outs and induced a groundout to escape the jam.
Center fielder Johnny Sewald was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the first inning and left fielder Jake Peevyhouse singled before Woodmansee put ASU on the board with a two-run double to right-center field on the first pitch he saw. Greer followed a walk by catcher Brian Serven with another two-run double to stake the Devils an early four-run advantage.
UA third baseman Bobby Dalbec led off the second with a solo home run to cut ASU’s lead to three, but the Devils countered with three in the bottom half of the inning to extend their lead to six, 7-1. Second baseman Andrew Snow and Peevyhouse each singled to put runners at the corners with one out, and ASU scored three runs in three consecutive at-bats, including a RBI single by Woodmansee, a RBI double by Serven and a sacrifice fly by Greer.
Wildcats (22-11, 7-7) shortstop Kevin Newman hit two-out, two-run homer by in the top of the third inning to pull within four, 3-7, and catcher Riley Moore sent a long fly ball to center field in the next at-bat, but Sewald pulled it back over the fence to save a run and the end the frame.
ASU’s deficit was trimmed to two heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but first baseman Joey Bielek knocked in a RBI double and scored on a passed ball in the frame to push its lead back to four, 9-5.
The Devils added four runs in the bottom of the eighth, including a RBI single by Woodmansee, two wild pitches and a pinch-hit RBI double by Chris Beall, to stretch their lead to eight, 13-5. Arizona added two runs in the top of the ninth before Melbostad closed out the win.
UA starting left-hander Xavier Borde (2-1) was chased after he faced five batters in the first opening and was responsible for four runs on three hits.
Notes
Greer has a hit in 20 of the past 21 games.
Up Next
The Sun Devils close out their three-game series with Arizona on April 13 at 7 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks with Roxy Bernstein and Jerry Kindall on the call, and broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Tim Healey and Seth Dhaenens.
Monday’s Pitching Matchup
UA: RHP Bobby Dalbec (2-3, 4.34 ERA)
ASU: LHP Brett Lilek (2-2, 4.33 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. Family Four Packs are available for all home mid-week and Sunday games. 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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