Inning by inning
First inning
Kole Klecker started things out on the mound for the Sun Devils, retiring the first batter via a flyout. After a single and stolen base, Klecker got the next two batters out for the scoreless first.
Landon Hairston hit his second leadoff home run of the weekend to put the Sun Devils ahead early 1-0. After two consecutive hit-by-pitches, Nu’u Contrades grounded into a double play that moved Moutzouridis over to third. Austen Roellig reached on the third hit by pitch of the inning, then Garrett Michel ended the frame with a ground out to first base.
Second inning
Klecker returned to the mound, tossing a 1-2-3 inning with two flyouts and a strikeout.
After Dominic Smaldino started the bottom of the frame with a single, and after two quick flyouts, Hairston was intentionally walked. Moutzouridis grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Smaldino being called out at third to end the inning.
Third inning
Klecker went back out, working around a one-out single to put up another scoreless inning.
Dean Toigo got aboard with a ground-rule double to left to start the frame, but was thrown out at third trying to steal after Contrades struck out. Roellig worked a two-out walk, but was called out at second to end the bottom of the frame.
Fourth inning
After a single to start the top of the inning, Klecker picked off the runner at first followed by two ground outs for another scoreless inning.
The Sun Devils went down in order in the bottom half of the inning.
Fifth inning
Klecker returned to the mound to pitch another 1-2-3 inning to keep the Mountaineers scoreless.
Myers singled to lead off the inning, but was left stranded as a flyout and two strikeouts closed out the frame.
Sixth inning
Two singles opened the frame before Klecker got a flyout to right. However, a walk loaded the bases, and a grand slam cleared them, giving the Mountaineers a 4-1 lead. Another single prompted a pitching change, with Colby Guy coming out of the bullpen. Guy sent the next two batters down on strikes to end the frame.
After a Contrades lead-off single up the middle, a ground out and a Michel walk, the Mountaineers went to their bullpen. Smaldino reached on a fielder's choice, Contrades out at third and Michel to second. However, a strikeout closed the bottom half of the inning leaving the runners stranded.
Seventh inning
Guy gave up a single to open the seventh, then after getting a strikeout, an RBI-single made it 5-1. A passed ball moved the runner to second, and back-to-back walks loaded the bases. After Guy got a strikeout for the second out, the Sun Devils brought in Sean Fitzpatrick to close the inning. He did so with a three-pitch strikeout.
A two-out walk for Moutzouridis and a double for Toigo put both runners in scoring position, a passed ball brought in Moutzouridis to make it 5-2, and advanced Toigo to third. A Contrades ground out ended the frame.
Eighth inning
Fitzpatrick returned to the mound, retiring the first batter on a strikeout. A double put a runner in scoring position, and a sac bunt moved the runner to third. A straight steal of home made it 6-2, and a strikeout ended the frame.
The Sun Devils went down in order to end the eighth inning.
Ninth inning
Derek Schaefer took the mound in place of Fitzpatrick to pitch the ninth and opened the frame with a walk. A single put the runner on second followed by a double to right field to bring the runner home to make it 7-2 with two in scoring position. After Schaefer collected the first out with a strikeout swinging, the Sun Devils went to Eli Buxton from the bullpen to close it out. However, a bases-clearing single made it 9-2 Mountaineers, followed by a stolen second base. A ground out to first closed the top of the inning.
A base hit for Brody Briggs started the frame. A single for Hairston and a sac-fly for Moutzouridis put runners on the corners. A stolen base for Hairston put both runners in scoring position. A three-run home run for Toigo brought the Sun Devils within four runs, 9-5. A ground out to short ended the game.
