PHOENIX – Infielder David Greer’s two-out, two-run go-ahead homer in the eighth inning capped a late comeback as No. 22 Sun Devil Baseball opened its series against USC with a 3-2 win in front of 3,039 fans on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix.
The Sun Devils (33-19, 15-12) have won 12 of their past 16 Pac-12 games and currently sit just one game back in the conference standings. They can clinch a share of the conference title with two more wins against USC and a split in the final two games of Washington and Utah’s three-game series.
Right fielder Gage Canning led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to center field, but the Trojans (26-28, 13-15) countered with a pair of runs in the fourth and held Arizona State scoreless until the eighth inning.
Starting right-hander Seth Martinez put together yet another quality start, his 13th of the season, as he allowed just four hits and two runs, and struck out five across seven innings. He issued four walks, but stranded seven runners on base to limit the Trojans.
Right-hander Chris Isbell tossed a scoreless eighth, and right-hander Eder Erives (10) took over in the ninth and picked up his 10th save of the year. Erives loaded the bases with one out in the final frame on a single and two walks, but won an 11-pitch battle with USC center fielder Timmy Robinson that ended with a pop fly in foul territory and induced a fly ball to right field to close out the win.
ASU’s outfielders made a number of key defensive plays to keep the Devils in the game the whole night. Center fielder Andrew Shaps made a running grab in front of the warning track to end the second inning, left fielder Ryan Lillard made a diving catch to end the third and strand a runner, and both Lillard and Canning used their arms to save a run in the eighth. Canning made a great throw with a Trojan on second and one out in the eighth to hold the runner at second on a long flyout to right field, and Lillard threw him out at home in the next at-bat a shallow single to left field to end the inning.
Canning led off the bottom of the first for the Devils and put the third pitch he saw northeast of the center field wall to give ASU an early 1-0 lead.
The Trojans capitalized on a pair of one-out walks in the top of the fourth with a two-run double by first baseman AJ Ramirez to move ahead, 2-1.
Pinch hitter Andrew Snow drew a five-pitch walk to open the eighth inning and advanced to second a sacrifice bunt from pinch hitter Zach Cerbo. A ground ball by Canning brought up two outs for the Devils before Greer drove the first pitch of his at-bat into right field for his eighth home run of the season and team-high 71st hit.
Sun Devil Baseball student-athletes and coaches wore Phoenix Police Department hats during batting practice, prior to the game and during the National Anthem to pay respects to Officer David Glasser and the sacrifice all of our service men and women make on a daily basis. A special thanks to Skaggs Public Safety Uniforms for donating the Phoenix Police Department hats the team wore during batting practice, prior to the game, and during the National Anthem
Notes: Greer and Canning led the way offensively as they both went 2-for-4 with a home run…Greer leads the team with 22 multi-hit games…Canning has a team-best 37 hits in his past 27 games, including 13 for extra-bases.
Up Next
The Devils continue their three-game home series against USC on Saturday, May 28, at 7 pm. The game will be televised by Pac-12 Networks and broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 with Tim Healey and Max Rossiter on the call.
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2016 NCAA Baseball Championship Information
The deadline for season ticket holders to assure seats for the Regional and Super Regional, is Sunday, May 29 at 5 p.m. Fax the PDF here to 480-965-6006 or drop off at Phoenix Muni Ticket Office during this weekend’s games with USC. Orders will not be processed until the Regional host sites are announced at 5:30 pm PT on Sunday, May 29.
Fan Appreciation Celebration
Head Coach Tracy Smith and the Sun Devil Baseball program thank you for joining us this season at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Your support, from our victory against Xavier on Opening Night in February to our consecutive walk-off wins vs. Oregon a couple weeks ago, has been a key part of our success in 2016. Please join Coach Smith and rest of the team at Phoenix Muni after the regular season finale against USC on Sunday, May 29 for our Fan Appreciation Celebration including food, refreshments, a raffle and more in the left-field picnic area.
Flex Plans
This plan gives fans the ultimate flexibility with nine (9) vouchers redeemable for tickets to any home game. Fans can use all nine tickets at one game, or one ticket at nine different games; simply present your voucher to the ticket office whenever you decide to attend. Tickets are at a 46 percent discount and in the Infield Reserved Seating sections. Click here for a direct link to purchase.
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.