LONG BEACH, Calif. – Strong pitching kept Sun Devil Baseball within striking distance, but its offense was never able to get going in a 3-1 loss to Long Beach State in the series finale on Sunday at Blair Field.
Starting left-hander Reagan Todd (1-1) struck out five for the second time in as many starts, but took the loss after he was responsible for one earned run on five hits and a walk across 4 1/3 innings. Right-hander Eder Erives tossed 3 2/3 relief innings and conceded two runs on three hits and a pair of walks, and struck out two.
Todd kept the Dirtbags (5-2) off the board for the first four innings to extend his scoreless-innings streak to 9 1/3 across his first two career starts, but a single and a walk with one out in the fifth ended his outing. Erives entered the game with runners on the corners and a bases-loaded sacrifice fly brought home the lead runner and the first run.
Erives put together a perfect sixth inning, but two singles and fielding mistakes led to a two-run triple in the seventh as LBSU extended its lead, 3-0. The Dirtbags put two runners on base with a pair of base hits, including a bunt single, before ASU left fielder Tyler Williams made a diving grab in the next at-bat that kept a run off the board. However, he misplayed a ball two batters later that rolled to the wall for a triple and allowed both runners to score.
The Sun Devils (5-3) responded with one run in the top of the next inning and brought the tying run to the plate. Catcher Brian Serven, who was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a double by designated Sebastian Zawada and reached home on a RBI single from center fielder Andrew Shaps. However, Zawada was thrown out at third after the tag and Williams lined out to center field to end the threat.
LBSU starting right-hander Darren McCaughan (2-0) earned the win after he allowed one run on two hits and struck out six in 7 1/3 innings.
Notes: Chris Beall made his first start of the season at first base…David Greer started at third base for the first time this year…freshman infielder Jeremy McCuin registered his first career at-bat to lead off the ninth.
Up Next
The Devils host Eastern Michigan for a three-game series at Phoenix Muni March 4-6. First pitch on Friday and Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m., and the series finale is slated for a 12:30 p.m. start. All three games will be live streamed via thesundevils.com. All times AZ/MT.
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