PHOENIX – Sun Devil Baseball dropped the middle game of its weekend set with the UCLA Bruins, 4-3, Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Arizona State (30-22, 15-13) offense sputtered, falling behind early and never being able to claw back from an erratic second inning. UCLA (27-22-1, 12-15-1) was outhit but took advantage of three Sun Devil defensive errors and four walks from Dunn, along with a timely two-run insurance homer in the eighth, to even the series.
UCLA plated a run in the second after a leadoff runner was plated on a single. They proceeded to send three more across after a three-hit, three-walk third inning - all unearned and all with two outs - to make it 4-0.
The Sun Devils got two back in the fifth on three straight batted balls, started by a Jonny Weaver double with one out and RBIs from Isaiah Jackson and Kien Vu. In the eighth, Luke Keaschall doubled to bring in Ryan Campos with one out, but nothing came of it in the final chances for ASU.
TURNING POINT
After giving up a run in the second, Ross Dunn and the Sun Devils ran into some problems in the third inning. It featured three Bruin runs, an error and four walks by Dunn, giving UCLA a 4-0 lead.
BIG MOMENT
Nick McLain had a golden opportunity for the Sun Devils in the seventh. The Sun Devils put two runners on with Jonny Weaver and Nu'u Contrades base hits, but McLain was unable to capitalize with two outs, ending the chance.
FINAL STRAW
Luke Keaschall got the Sun Devils a run, scoring Ryan Campos on a RBI double in the top of the eighth with one out. Jacob Tobias lined out to the shortstop on a ball that almost got out of the brought-in infield, and Nu'u Contrades flew out to end the frame. The bottom of the ASU order went down 1-2-3 in its last licks.
NOTABLES
- Jonny Weaver picked up a double in the fifth. It was his first extra-base hit in Maroon and Gold. He later scored ASU's first run of the game on a single by Isaiah Jackson.
- Matt Tieding made his first appearance in nearly a month, tossing one inning of scoreless relief
- Jacob Tobias smacked ninth double of the year with one in the second inning.
- Nick McLain saved a run at the plate, cutting down a runner at the plate for his sixth assist of the season.
- Luke Keaschall had two doubles in the contest, including one of the RBI variety to make it 4-3 in the eighth. He entered the contest tied for the national lead with 24 doubles on the season and now sits at 25.
- Josh Hansell tied season highs by twirling three innings and four strikeouts in a shutout relief effort.
- The result marked the second time in as many games this series the losing team has been outhit.
INNING-BY-INNING
First Inning
Ross Dunn worked a smooth first frame, securing a groundout and two strikeouts. McLain struck out looking to start the inning for the Devils, followed by a flyout and groundout by Luke Hill and Ryan Campos.
Second Inning
Leading off the inning, UCLA reached second thanks to a throwing error by ASU. After that, a single to center field knocked in the first run for the Bruins, however ASU was able to get out of the inning thanks to a great defensive play by Hill.
A double by Jacob Tobias provided the first base runner for the Sun Devils, but he was ultimately caught attempting to advance on the bases to end the inning.
Third Inning
UCLA knocked in three more runs off of one hit, two walks, and a wild pitch. For the Sun Devils, Kien Vu was able to reach thanks to a throwing error by UCLA, but was ultimately caught stealing third, as ASU trailed 4-0 through three.
Fourth Inning
The Bruins singled, but the Sun Devils managed to get out of the inning without giving up any more runs thanks to a groundout and two strikeouts by Dunn. The Sun Devils went down in order.
Fifth Inning
Matt Tieding relieved Dunn with one out, and recorded two consecutive groundouts after that. ASU's offense got rolling in the fifth. A single by Isaiah Jackson and sac-fly knocked in the first two runs of the night for ASU, cutting UCLA's lead in half with a score of 4-2.
Sixth Inning
After allowing two runners on base with one out, Josh Hansell came in to pitch for ASU, where he recorded two more outs, including a strikeout, to get ASU out of the inning unscathed. After that, ASU went down in order after a leadoff single by Hill.
Seventh Inning
ASU pitched a clean seventh inning, retiring UCLA batters in order. Jonny Weaver and Kien Vu both singled in the bottom half of the inning, but were left stranded as ASU was unable to score any runs.
Eighth Inning
Nick McLain had a big defensive play at the plate, saving a run from being scored, as UCLA was unable to muster up any more runs that inning. ASU was able to score another run, thanks to an RBI double by Keaschall, cutting the deficit down to one.
Ninth Inning
With one out in the inning, ASU made a pitching change that put Brock Peery in for Hansell. UCLA hit a two-run homer, extending their lead to 6-3. The Sun Devils then went down in order to end the game.
ON DECK:
The Sun Devils will look to take the series Saturday against the Bruins at 12 p.m. MST. Coverage can be seen on Pac-12 Networks and can be listened to on KDUS 1060 AM.