PHOENIX- Just one night after one of the season's most electrifying wins, the Sun Devil baseball team (37-16) couldn't manage a similar comeback against No. 3 Stanford (40-11) in a 6-4 loss on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Looking to keep the momentum rolling from their walk-off win on Thursday night, coach Tracy Smith decided to start Brady Corrigan, a sophomore pitcher making his second start of the year. The decision would pay off as the right-hander sent down the first twelve Stanford hitters in order to begin the contest.
Dominating on the bump, Corrigan tied his previous career-high with six strikeouts through only 3 ? innings pitched as he retired the first 12 batters he saw in the game. However, the Sun Devil offense could not seem to get things going at the plate either as the first 15 would also go down in order to keep things scoreless.
In the top of the fifth, Corrigan would encounter his first blemish of the game, as a solo home run from the opposing pitcher gave Stanford a 1-0 lead. However, the righty bounced back by striking out the next batter, and would go on to finish with a career-best 8 strikeouts a season-best 5.2 innings pitched while issuing no walks.
Corrigan notched two outs in the top of the sixth before being relieved by RJ Dabovich. Unfortunately, the Cardinal would extend their lead after two consecutive RBI doubles made the score 3-0 in favor of the visitors from Palo Alto.
Heading into the dugout looking for any spark on offense, junior Carter Aldrete would get the Sun Devils on the board with his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, a solo shot that barely escaped the reach of the Stanford outfielder in right-centerfield. With the homerun, Aldrete extended his current hitting streak to five games, just one short of his season-high of six games. His third home run over the past four games also allowed him to reach base for the fifth straight game.
After allowing the leadoff batter to reach second in the top of the seventh, utility player Erik Tolman would relieve Dabovich. Taking the mound for the 23rd time this year, the freshman surrendered an RBI double to the first batter he faced out of the bullpen as Stanford pushed their lead to 5-1. However, the Cardinal attack was quickly stomped out as Tolman struck out the next batter to keep the Sun Devils within striking distance.
In the home half of the seventh, junior Lyle Lin displayed his opposite field power with a solo home run over the right field fence, keeping ASU close and cutting the lead to 5-2. Additionally, Lin's ninth home run marked the first long ball given up all season by Stanford reliever Austin Weiermiller.
A couple bang-bang plays over the next couple innings at first base went against ASU's favor, stifling momentum in the latter part of the game while Stanford would add an insurance run in the process to go ahead, 6-2.
ASU attempting a ninth inning rally for the second consecutive night behind a sharp single from junior Hunter Bishop before Workman deposited a two-out moonshot over the centerfield wall to trim the Stanford lead to 6-4. The sophomore continues to show-off more power this season, increasing his home run total by five while also drive in 17 additional RBIs compared to his freshman season. Unfortunately, the Sun Devil attack would fall just short, as the 6-4 score would become final.
The Sun Devils will return to action on Saturday for their annual Senior Day, which also marks the final regular season home game of the year. Festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. PT. The game will be available on Pac-12 Network – Arizona and also available on the radio on NBC Sports 1060 AM.
Looking to keep the momentum rolling from their walk-off win on Thursday night, coach Tracy Smith decided to start Brady Corrigan, a sophomore pitcher making his second start of the year. The decision would pay off as the right-hander sent down the first twelve Stanford hitters in order to begin the contest.
Dominating on the bump, Corrigan tied his previous career-high with six strikeouts through only 3 ? innings pitched as he retired the first 12 batters he saw in the game. However, the Sun Devil offense could not seem to get things going at the plate either as the first 15 would also go down in order to keep things scoreless.
In the top of the fifth, Corrigan would encounter his first blemish of the game, as a solo home run from the opposing pitcher gave Stanford a 1-0 lead. However, the righty bounced back by striking out the next batter, and would go on to finish with a career-best 8 strikeouts a season-best 5.2 innings pitched while issuing no walks.
Corrigan notched two outs in the top of the sixth before being relieved by RJ Dabovich. Unfortunately, the Cardinal would extend their lead after two consecutive RBI doubles made the score 3-0 in favor of the visitors from Palo Alto.
Heading into the dugout looking for any spark on offense, junior Carter Aldrete would get the Sun Devils on the board with his eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, a solo shot that barely escaped the reach of the Stanford outfielder in right-centerfield. With the homerun, Aldrete extended his current hitting streak to five games, just one short of his season-high of six games. His third home run over the past four games also allowed him to reach base for the fifth straight game.
After allowing the leadoff batter to reach second in the top of the seventh, utility player Erik Tolman would relieve Dabovich. Taking the mound for the 23rd time this year, the freshman surrendered an RBI double to the first batter he faced out of the bullpen as Stanford pushed their lead to 5-1. However, the Cardinal attack was quickly stomped out as Tolman struck out the next batter to keep the Sun Devils within striking distance.
In the home half of the seventh, junior Lyle Lin displayed his opposite field power with a solo home run over the right field fence, keeping ASU close and cutting the lead to 5-2. Additionally, Lin's ninth home run marked the first long ball given up all season by Stanford reliever Austin Weiermiller.
A couple bang-bang plays over the next couple innings at first base went against ASU's favor, stifling momentum in the latter part of the game while Stanford would add an insurance run in the process to go ahead, 6-2.
ASU attempting a ninth inning rally for the second consecutive night behind a sharp single from junior Hunter Bishop before Workman deposited a two-out moonshot over the centerfield wall to trim the Stanford lead to 6-4. The sophomore continues to show-off more power this season, increasing his home run total by five while also drive in 17 additional RBIs compared to his freshman season. Unfortunately, the Sun Devil attack would fall just short, as the 6-4 score would become final.
The Sun Devils will return to action on Saturday for their annual Senior Day, which also marks the final regular season home game of the year. Festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. PT. The game will be available on Pac-12 Network – Arizona and also available on the radio on NBC Sports 1060 AM.