The Arizona State baseball team’s attempt at a comeback late in their series opener against the No. 9 Oregon Ducks Friday was to no avail as they fell, 5-4.
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Despite starting southpaw Brett Lilek’s career-high nine strikeouts, the Devils allowed two unearned runs, in accordance with three errors on the night, which ultimately led to their demise.
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The Ducks struck first, plating two in the top of the second inning after shortstop Drew Stankiewicz muffed the grounder sent his way.
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In the bottom of the second, left fielder Jake Peevyhouse singled, followed by right fielder Trever Allen’s double, the Devils’ only multi-base hit of the night. Catcher Brian Serven then singled to score them both, tying the game at two apiece.
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The top of the fifth saw the remaining three Oregon runs, when third baseman Mitchell Tolman jacked a triple over the head of Peevyhouse, then crossed home after a throwing error by Stankiewicz.
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Allen and Stankiewicz hit back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the sixth, and second baseman Tucker Esmay’s groundout eventually scored Allen, adding another run.
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The Devils cut their deficit to one in the bottom of the eighth when Stankiewicz singled, moved into scoring position on a single by Serven and a fly out by Esmay, then scored after a grounder by center fielder Johnny Sewald was misplayed by Tolman.
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RHP Jake Reed came in for the save in a perfect ninth inning. Ducks starting LHP Tommy Thorpe earned the win through five innings.
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ASU moves to 24-21 on the season and 12-10 in the Pac-12. They take on Oregon again tomorrow for the second installment of the three-game series at 6:30 p.m. at Packard Stadium in Tempe.
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