PHOENIX, Ariz. – In a game dominated by pitching, Sun Devil Baseball took the first game of the series against Loyola Marymount, 2-1, on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Crucial in the victory was the performance of Eli Lingos (3-0), who delivered his third-straight stellar outing. The ace went a career-high 7.2 innings, striking out six without issuing a walk on the way to his third quality start of the season in as many chances.
Lions starting right-hander Blake Redman (0-3) held ASU relatively in check in the first five innings of the contest, striking out eight and keeping the Devils largely off balance. Outfielder Gage Canning broke through in the bottom of the sixth, however, lacing a standup triple over the right fielder's head. The following batter, infielder Jackson Willeford, took one into opposite left field to drive in Canning to tie the game at one.
The scoring didn't stop there, as the Maroon and Gold snatched a 2-1 lead in that same inning with a single to right center by outfielder Andrew Shaps, plating Willeford from third and providing all the run support the Devils would need in the effort.
The Lions (4-6) threatened in the first two innings with runners in scoring position. However, starting southpaw Lingos settled down to throw up zeroes in both frames, remaining poised to record two-straight strikeouts with two on in the second inning.
Loyola Marymount scratched an unearned run across the plate in the top of the fourth for an early 1-0 lead following an infield error on what would been the final out that allowed a runner on third to cross the plate.
The Devils (6-3) responded by pushing a runner to third base with one out in their half of the frame after an Andrew Snow leadoff double, but couldn't cash the run in.
Lingos really found his rhythm starting in the fifth, going on to retire 11 of the final 14 batters he faced before being replaced by left-hander Chaz Montoya.
Montoya used just two pitches to retire the lone batter he faced and the Devils again reached into their bullpen in the top of the ninth. This time, right-hander Ryan Hingst got the call. The Texas-native also recorded just one out, a strikeout. Left-hander Reagan Todd got the nod next, recording the final two outs of the last frame to earn his first career save.
Arizona State's offense was headlined by Snow, who ended the night 2-for-4 with a double. Both Willeford and Shaps ended the night with one hit and one RBI. Snow notched his second-straight multi-hit performance, as he went 4-for-4 and reached base six times in the Devils' victory over New Mexico State.
Notes
The four ASU pitchers did not walk an opposing batter for the first time this season (previous season-low was four)…The Sun Devils defeated the Lions for the 12th consecutive time, moving the all-time series record to 30-6 against LMU…Jackson Willeford recorded his first RBI of his Sun Devil career…Devils continue to figure out opposing pitchers the second and third time through the order, having now scored 47 of their 50 total runs in the 4th inning or later…Lyle Lin reached base for the ninth consecutive game and is the only Sun Devil to reach base in every game this season…Gage Canning has reached base in eight of nine games so far this season…Loyola Marymount ended the night 2-14 (.143) with runners on base and 0-9 (.000) with runners in scoring position…ASU moves to 3-0 in series openers this season.
Saturday's Projected Pitching Matchup
LMU: LHP Brendan Arriaga (1-0, 0.64 ERA)
ASU: LHP Spencer Van Scoyoc (0-0, 1.08 ERA)
Sunday's Projected Pitching Matchup
LMU: RHP Cory Abbott (1-0, 3.27 ERA)
ASU: RHP Jake Godfrey (1-0, 6.35 ERA)
Up Next: The Devils continue their three-game set against Loyola Marymount on Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. The series finale takes place Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The remaining two games will be broadcast live through the Pac-12 Network Digital Stream.
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2017 Season Tickets
Sun Devil Baseball season tickets are on sale now, and fans can purchase by calling 480-965-5812 or click here for more information and to purchase
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This plan allows fans to choose five (5) games in the 2017 season to create their own customized schedule. Click here for more information and to purchase.
Flex Plans
This plan gives fans the ultimate flexibility with eight (8) 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 20-33 percent discount and in the Infield Reserved Seating sections. Click here for more information and to purchase.
Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets for the team's non-conference slate are on sale now. Call 480-727-0000 or click here for more information and to purchase.
Crucial in the victory was the performance of Eli Lingos (3-0), who delivered his third-straight stellar outing. The ace went a career-high 7.2 innings, striking out six without issuing a walk on the way to his third quality start of the season in as many chances.
Lions starting right-hander Blake Redman (0-3) held ASU relatively in check in the first five innings of the contest, striking out eight and keeping the Devils largely off balance. Outfielder Gage Canning broke through in the bottom of the sixth, however, lacing a standup triple over the right fielder's head. The following batter, infielder Jackson Willeford, took one into opposite left field to drive in Canning to tie the game at one.
The scoring didn't stop there, as the Maroon and Gold snatched a 2-1 lead in that same inning with a single to right center by outfielder Andrew Shaps, plating Willeford from third and providing all the run support the Devils would need in the effort.
The Lions (4-6) threatened in the first two innings with runners in scoring position. However, starting southpaw Lingos settled down to throw up zeroes in both frames, remaining poised to record two-straight strikeouts with two on in the second inning.
Loyola Marymount scratched an unearned run across the plate in the top of the fourth for an early 1-0 lead following an infield error on what would been the final out that allowed a runner on third to cross the plate.
The Devils (6-3) responded by pushing a runner to third base with one out in their half of the frame after an Andrew Snow leadoff double, but couldn't cash the run in.
Lingos really found his rhythm starting in the fifth, going on to retire 11 of the final 14 batters he faced before being replaced by left-hander Chaz Montoya.
Montoya used just two pitches to retire the lone batter he faced and the Devils again reached into their bullpen in the top of the ninth. This time, right-hander Ryan Hingst got the call. The Texas-native also recorded just one out, a strikeout. Left-hander Reagan Todd got the nod next, recording the final two outs of the last frame to earn his first career save.
Arizona State's offense was headlined by Snow, who ended the night 2-for-4 with a double. Both Willeford and Shaps ended the night with one hit and one RBI. Snow notched his second-straight multi-hit performance, as he went 4-for-4 and reached base six times in the Devils' victory over New Mexico State.
Notes
The four ASU pitchers did not walk an opposing batter for the first time this season (previous season-low was four)…The Sun Devils defeated the Lions for the 12th consecutive time, moving the all-time series record to 30-6 against LMU…Jackson Willeford recorded his first RBI of his Sun Devil career…Devils continue to figure out opposing pitchers the second and third time through the order, having now scored 47 of their 50 total runs in the 4th inning or later…Lyle Lin reached base for the ninth consecutive game and is the only Sun Devil to reach base in every game this season…Gage Canning has reached base in eight of nine games so far this season…Loyola Marymount ended the night 2-14 (.143) with runners on base and 0-9 (.000) with runners in scoring position…ASU moves to 3-0 in series openers this season.
Saturday's Projected Pitching Matchup
LMU: LHP Brendan Arriaga (1-0, 0.64 ERA)
ASU: LHP Spencer Van Scoyoc (0-0, 1.08 ERA)
Sunday's Projected Pitching Matchup
LMU: RHP Cory Abbott (1-0, 3.27 ERA)
ASU: RHP Jake Godfrey (1-0, 6.35 ERA)
Up Next: The Devils continue their three-game set against Loyola Marymount on Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. The series finale takes place Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The remaining two games will be broadcast live through the Pac-12 Network Digital Stream.
_____________
Join the conversation all season
Twitter: @ASU_Baseball | Facebook: Sun Devil Baseball | Instagram: ASU_Baseball
2017 Season Tickets
Sun Devil Baseball season tickets are on sale now, and fans can purchase by calling 480-965-5812 or click here for more information and to purchase
5-Game Mini Plans
This plan allows fans to choose five (5) games in the 2017 season to create their own customized schedule. Click here for more information and to purchase.
Flex Plans
This plan gives fans the ultimate flexibility with eight (8) 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 20-33 percent discount and in the Infield Reserved Seating sections. Click here for more information and to purchase.
Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets for the team's non-conference slate are on sale now. Call 480-727-0000 or click here for more information and to purchase.