Arizona State continues to pull out the victories against Long Beach State as the Sun Devils defeated the Dirtbags 9-3 Sunday to win the series 2-1.
Things started off with a 6-4 Sun Devil win on Friday night when starting pitcherSeth Martinezand relieversDarin GilliesandRyan Burrcombined for eight shutout innings. Long Beach State’s only offensive on Friday was a grand-slam home run off the bat ofEric Huttingin the top of the fourth.
The ASU offense was ignited byJohnny Sewald,Colby Woodmansee,Jake PeevyhouseandRJ Ybarra, who each chalked up a pair of hits, while Sewald and Woodmansee each scored two runs and Ybarra drove in two.
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Martinez would earn his first save of the year and Burr would tally his fifth save of 2015.
Things would not go the Sun Devil’s way on Saturday though.
StarterRyan Kelloggwould throw into the eight inning for his third consecutive start and give ASU his 20th career quality start, but would walk away with a no decision.
ASU held the Dirtbags through seven innings, butZack Riverawould step up to the plate for Long Beach State and blast a three-run home run off ofJordan Aboitesto put the Dirtbags up 3-2.
LBSU would tack on one more run in the top of the ninth and would eventually seal the 4-2 win to tie the series at one game a piece. Aboites took the loss of ASU, his second of the year.
With things evened up, the series was on the line Sunday and ASU knew exactly what they needed to do.
Left-handerBrett Lilekwas on the bump for ASU, who went only 2 2/3 innings in hist last start against Purdue Feb. 27 at Phoenix Muni.
Lilek faced freshman right-handerChris Mathewson, who was fresh off a no-hitter in his last start last Sunday against Wichita State.
Mathewson and freshmanDarren McCaughancombined for the first no-hitter in Long Beach State history.
Lilek did not seem fazed at all Sunday as he dominated the first time through the line up. At one point, he retired nine Dirtbag batters in a row before giving up two runs to LBSU.
ASU would scratch across five runs through six innings, including a solo homer off the bat ofBrian Serven.
Then ASU blew things open in the bottom of the eight when nine batters would come to the plate and produce four runs off of the Dirtbag bullpen. ASU would go on to win the game 9-3 and win the series 2-1.
Lilek picked up his first win of the season for the Sun Devils and allowed just two runs on four hits over five innings and struck out five. RelieversDarin GilliesandEder Eriveswould come in on relief for the final four innings. Gillies would throw three no-hit frames before handing the ball over to Erives, who gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth.
Mathewson would take the loss after going six innings and allowing five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits and striking out two.
The Sun Devils now lead the all-time series with the Dirtbags, 40-11, coming into the weekend series.
ASU swept LBSU in the last three-game series, March 8-10 at Packard Stadium, and the Devils have now won the past four three-game series against the Dirtbags.
Coming up, the Sun Devils host UNLV for a mid-week game on Wednesday night at Phoenix Muni.
Things get exciting next weekend when the Sun Devils begin PAC-12 play and host Oregon State for a three-game series beginning Friday March 13.
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