Arizona State Wins Second In a Row to Take Series

The number 12-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils picked up back-to-back wins over Oregon State this weekend to win the series 2-1 over the Beavers.

After a tough loss Friday night at Phoenix Muni, ASU turned things around, picking up wins in both Saturday night’s game and Sunday’s game.

Saturday’s win was delivered courtesy of a walk-off single by Brian Serven in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Sun Devils trailed the Beavers 3-1 going into the bottom of the eighth.

ASU would tie the game 3-3 in the inning thanks to a Colby Woodmansee double and singles from both Brian Serven and Joey Bielek with runners on base.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Beavers fell apart.

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OSU pitcher Zack Reser gave up a couple of singles to Jake Peevyhouse and Colby Woodmansee then hit Trever Allen to load the bases for Serven. Two pitches into Serven’s at bat, he hit an RBI single into left field to deliver the 4-3 victory and tie the series at a game a piece.

Saturday night’s win was ASU’s third walk-off win of the season.

Ryan Kellogg started the game for ASU. He allowed three runs on six hits in his first two innings of work, but settled down nicely in the following five innings, giving up just three hits the rest of the way. Although he did not pick up the win, he did rack up his third quality start of the season and his 22nd of his career.

The win went to Ryan Burr, his third of the season.

Late-inning runs would be the key to success again on Sunday.

The Sun Devils were able to get to OSU starter Travis Eckert, who held ASU to just two runs going into the bottom of the seventh. The Sun Devils trailed 4-2 when Woodmansee singled into center field with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to tie things up at four.

One inning later, in the bottom of the eighth, David Greer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the go-ahead run. Andrew Snow followed Greer’s hit-by-pitch with a two-run single to make it 7-4. Head coach Tracy Smith again called on Ryan Burr to close out the ninth. Burr pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win and series for ASU.

Brett Lilek started on the bump for the Sun Devils, he went four innings, allowed two runs on five hits, walked two and struck out two. Jordan Aboites took over in the fifth and pitched four innings as well, giving up two runs on five hits walked one and struck out two. Aboites was credited with the win, his first of the year. Burr picked up his seventh save.

It’s exciting to see ASU bounce back so nicely after a tough 1-0 loss on Friday night. The late inning offense was crucial in both victories this weekend. Tip your caps to the pitching as well. They kept the opposing runs to a minimum, giving the Sun Devils opportunities to get back into the games.

The weekend wins for ASU pushed their record to 12-6 on the season. They are now 2-1 in PAC-12 play after the opening weekend.

Coming up, ASU hosts New Mexico for a mid-week match up on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Muni. Wednesday’s game concludes ASU’s 19-game home stand to start the season.

Next weekend, the Sun Devils hit the road for the first time this season. They’ll take on the Oregon Ducks in Oregon for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6 p.m.