PHOENIX - The Arizona State baseball team defeated USC, 5-1, in the opening game of the three-game set at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Friday night.
Arizona State (14-16, 6-4 Pac-12) used an equal display of offense and defense to prevent USC from finding their groove and to cap the Sun Devil victory. Right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh was brilliant from the mound all night, pitching a career-best 8.1 innings to go along with a career-high 7 strikeouts, The outing resulted in Marsh's third win of the season and his first quality start.
Offensively, junior Gage Canning blasted his fourth home run of the season on his way to a two-RBI performance. Canning continued his hitting barrage, and has now reached base in all 30 games this season.
Sophomore designated hitter Carter Aldrete was another key part to the victory, as he capped off a 2-for-3 day with two doubles that each bounced off the wall and a run scored.
The Devil defense was in a vulnerable spot in the top of the second, as the USC offense loaded the bases with no outs. Marsh began getting out of the jam with an eight-pitch strikeout, followed by an impressive 4-6-3 double play by freshman fielders Alika Williams and Drew Swift. From that point on, Marsh was nearly perfect, only allowing one hit for the rest of the game.
Following the jam, Aldrete sparked the Arizona State offense. His high fly ball to deep left-center field landed just short of leaving the park and placed Aldrete at second base with no outs in the inning. Junior right fielder Hunter Bishop laid a perfectly placed bunt down the first base line, scoring Aldrete and giving the Sun Devils the early advantage, 1-0.
Canning ignited the crowd in the bottom of the third when he lifted a moon-shot over the Sun Devil Baseball scoreboard, expanding the ASU lead to 2-0. The home run by Canning marked the first home run allowed by USC pitcher Kyle Hurt all season and Canning's fourth of the season.
Another scoring opportunity would arise for ASU in the bottom of the fifth when freshman third baseman Gage Workman lead off with a single to left field. Drew Swift reached aboard on a throwing error, allowing Workman to move to third. Canning hit a routine ground ball to the second baseman allowing just enough time to score Workman. The Devils weren't done yet, as Spencer Torkelson drove in the second run of the inning off a single to left, leaving ASU up 4-0.
ASU added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, extending the lead 5-0. Williams got into scoring position via a single and stolen base. Pinch-hitter Taylor Lane sliced a single to the left side and earned his fifth RBI of the year.
Marsh entered the ninth to earn the first out but USC threatened one final time, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate. Jake Godfrey came into the game with one out and buckled down after a borderline walk to get the final two outs and earn his first save of the season.
Marsh's effort marked the third quality start for a Sun Devil pitcher in the last four games. Marsh threw 5.2 innings of quality ball against Washington State last week and Sam Romero had 5.0 innings of quality start prowess in Tuesday's midweek game against Fullerton, leaving ASU just a handful of outs from five consecutive quality outings.
Up Next: The Maroon and Gold will continue their three-game series against USC on Saturday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. Watch the game live on via Pac-12 Plus.
Arizona State (14-16, 6-4 Pac-12) used an equal display of offense and defense to prevent USC from finding their groove and to cap the Sun Devil victory. Right-handed pitcher Alec Marsh was brilliant from the mound all night, pitching a career-best 8.1 innings to go along with a career-high 7 strikeouts, The outing resulted in Marsh's third win of the season and his first quality start.
Offensively, junior Gage Canning blasted his fourth home run of the season on his way to a two-RBI performance. Canning continued his hitting barrage, and has now reached base in all 30 games this season.
Sophomore designated hitter Carter Aldrete was another key part to the victory, as he capped off a 2-for-3 day with two doubles that each bounced off the wall and a run scored.
The Devil defense was in a vulnerable spot in the top of the second, as the USC offense loaded the bases with no outs. Marsh began getting out of the jam with an eight-pitch strikeout, followed by an impressive 4-6-3 double play by freshman fielders Alika Williams and Drew Swift. From that point on, Marsh was nearly perfect, only allowing one hit for the rest of the game.
Following the jam, Aldrete sparked the Arizona State offense. His high fly ball to deep left-center field landed just short of leaving the park and placed Aldrete at second base with no outs in the inning. Junior right fielder Hunter Bishop laid a perfectly placed bunt down the first base line, scoring Aldrete and giving the Sun Devils the early advantage, 1-0.
Canning ignited the crowd in the bottom of the third when he lifted a moon-shot over the Sun Devil Baseball scoreboard, expanding the ASU lead to 2-0. The home run by Canning marked the first home run allowed by USC pitcher Kyle Hurt all season and Canning's fourth of the season.
Another scoring opportunity would arise for ASU in the bottom of the fifth when freshman third baseman Gage Workman lead off with a single to left field. Drew Swift reached aboard on a throwing error, allowing Workman to move to third. Canning hit a routine ground ball to the second baseman allowing just enough time to score Workman. The Devils weren't done yet, as Spencer Torkelson drove in the second run of the inning off a single to left, leaving ASU up 4-0.
ASU added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, extending the lead 5-0. Williams got into scoring position via a single and stolen base. Pinch-hitter Taylor Lane sliced a single to the left side and earned his fifth RBI of the year.
Marsh entered the ninth to earn the first out but USC threatened one final time, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate. Jake Godfrey came into the game with one out and buckled down after a borderline walk to get the final two outs and earn his first save of the season.
Marsh's effort marked the third quality start for a Sun Devil pitcher in the last four games. Marsh threw 5.2 innings of quality ball against Washington State last week and Sam Romero had 5.0 innings of quality start prowess in Tuesday's midweek game against Fullerton, leaving ASU just a handful of outs from five consecutive quality outings.
Up Next: The Maroon and Gold will continue their three-game series against USC on Saturday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. Watch the game live on via Pac-12 Plus.