PHOENIX – Sun Devil Baseball came up on the short end of a pitcher's duel against No. 15 Arizona, 3-1, in game two of the weekend series.
The Arizona State (23-28, 8-18) pitching staff held a potent Arizona offense in check to keep the Sun Devils within striking distance. The ASU offense had opportunities late to cut into the Arizona lead, but were unable to produce any runs.
The Sun Devils were led on the evening by a great outing from starting left-hander Eli Lingos. Lingos set the tone from the start, keeping the Wildcats off the board for the first three innings. Lingos battled throughout the night, keeping the Wildcats hitters off-balance by changing speed and mixing his pitches well. Lingos worked into the seventh inning giving way to reliever Ryan Hingst after allowing back-to-back singles to lead off the seventh. Lingos final line would rest at six innings pitched, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out three. Lingos was able to keep the ball low in the zone for the most part, recording 11 ground balls in the outing.
The Sun Devils were led offensively by outfielder Hunter Bishop, who added a pair of hits after a two-hit performance last night. Senior designated hitter Zach Cerbo recorded the lone RBI of the ballgame for the Sun Devils.
Arizona (35-17, 14-12) starting left-hander Cameron Ming settled into a rhythm early and maintained it throughout the game. The Wildcats southpaw went the distance, allowing one run on six hits while striking out three. Ming managed to work his way out of multiple scoring threats, preventing the Devils from cutting into the lead.
Both starting pitchers had it working early as the offenses were held off the board until the top of the fourth. The Sun Devils threatened to open the scoring early in both the second and third innings, with two runners reaching in each inning. Ming worked his way out of trouble in both instances, effectively pounding the strike zone.
Arizona's first major scoring threat came in the top half of the fourth after back-to-back singles led off the inning. With runners on the corners and no outs, Lingos limited the damage as he induced a double play, but the run scored from third to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.
Ming cruised into the sixth with his team clinging to a one-run lead. Needing a rally from the offense, freshman Hunter Bishop delivered, leading off the bottom of the sixth with a rocket double down the right field line. Next batter, Lyle Lin, had a productive at bat, moving Bishop to third on a ground ball to the right side. The following batter, Zach Cerbo, would deliver in a clutch situation for the Sun Devils, driving a fly ball to deep center field to score Bishop from third and tie the game at one.
Lingos would come out for the seventh with his team now tied. Back-to-back singles to start the inning would end the night for Lingos. Right-handed reliever Ryan Hingst would come in trying to escape the jam and keep the game tied. Hingst would retire the first batter he faced on a fielder's choice, but the run would score from third as the Wildcats retook the lead. Left-handed reliever Tanner West would take over for Hingst after a walk. The freshman immediately recorded an out thanks to a fielder's choice, but another run would cross the plate to push the lead to 3-1.
West did an admirable job settling in and keeping ASU in the game, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings for the Sun Devils to close out the contest. West allowed just one baserunner, a walk, which was quickly erased as the next batter grounded into a double play.
The Sun Devils recorded a single in both the seventh and eighth inning, but were unable to capitalize as Wildcats starter finished off the complete game and the 3-1 Arizona victory.
NOTES: With two more hits in the contest this evening, Hunter Bishop continues to stay hot as he now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games…Tanner West became the first Sun Devil pitcher to throw more than two scoreless innings against Arizona this season with his 2.2 scoreless innings pitched tonight…Senior Zach Cerbo is finishing his career on a high note, extending his reached base streak to 10 games, tying a career high…After recording a single tonight, Andrew Snow now has at least one hit in eight of his last nine games…Carter Aldrete and Hunter Bishop extended their hitting streaks to five games, both tying their season-high…
The Arizona State (23-28, 8-18) pitching staff held a potent Arizona offense in check to keep the Sun Devils within striking distance. The ASU offense had opportunities late to cut into the Arizona lead, but were unable to produce any runs.
The Sun Devils were led on the evening by a great outing from starting left-hander Eli Lingos. Lingos set the tone from the start, keeping the Wildcats off the board for the first three innings. Lingos battled throughout the night, keeping the Wildcats hitters off-balance by changing speed and mixing his pitches well. Lingos worked into the seventh inning giving way to reliever Ryan Hingst after allowing back-to-back singles to lead off the seventh. Lingos final line would rest at six innings pitched, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out three. Lingos was able to keep the ball low in the zone for the most part, recording 11 ground balls in the outing.
The Sun Devils were led offensively by outfielder Hunter Bishop, who added a pair of hits after a two-hit performance last night. Senior designated hitter Zach Cerbo recorded the lone RBI of the ballgame for the Sun Devils.
Arizona (35-17, 14-12) starting left-hander Cameron Ming settled into a rhythm early and maintained it throughout the game. The Wildcats southpaw went the distance, allowing one run on six hits while striking out three. Ming managed to work his way out of multiple scoring threats, preventing the Devils from cutting into the lead.
Both starting pitchers had it working early as the offenses were held off the board until the top of the fourth. The Sun Devils threatened to open the scoring early in both the second and third innings, with two runners reaching in each inning. Ming worked his way out of trouble in both instances, effectively pounding the strike zone.
Arizona's first major scoring threat came in the top half of the fourth after back-to-back singles led off the inning. With runners on the corners and no outs, Lingos limited the damage as he induced a double play, but the run scored from third to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.
Ming cruised into the sixth with his team clinging to a one-run lead. Needing a rally from the offense, freshman Hunter Bishop delivered, leading off the bottom of the sixth with a rocket double down the right field line. Next batter, Lyle Lin, had a productive at bat, moving Bishop to third on a ground ball to the right side. The following batter, Zach Cerbo, would deliver in a clutch situation for the Sun Devils, driving a fly ball to deep center field to score Bishop from third and tie the game at one.
Lingos would come out for the seventh with his team now tied. Back-to-back singles to start the inning would end the night for Lingos. Right-handed reliever Ryan Hingst would come in trying to escape the jam and keep the game tied. Hingst would retire the first batter he faced on a fielder's choice, but the run would score from third as the Wildcats retook the lead. Left-handed reliever Tanner West would take over for Hingst after a walk. The freshman immediately recorded an out thanks to a fielder's choice, but another run would cross the plate to push the lead to 3-1.
West did an admirable job settling in and keeping ASU in the game, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings for the Sun Devils to close out the contest. West allowed just one baserunner, a walk, which was quickly erased as the next batter grounded into a double play.
The Sun Devils recorded a single in both the seventh and eighth inning, but were unable to capitalize as Wildcats starter finished off the complete game and the 3-1 Arizona victory.
NOTES: With two more hits in the contest this evening, Hunter Bishop continues to stay hot as he now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games…Tanner West became the first Sun Devil pitcher to throw more than two scoreless innings against Arizona this season with his 2.2 scoreless innings pitched tonight…Senior Zach Cerbo is finishing his career on a high note, extending his reached base streak to 10 games, tying a career high…After recording a single tonight, Andrew Snow now has at least one hit in eight of his last nine games…Carter Aldrete and Hunter Bishop extended their hitting streaks to five games, both tying their season-high…