ASU Baseball Keeps Regional Hopes Alive
By Blake Benard
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Betsided
Plot twist: ASU baseball had a very quite weekend, putting together easy victories that were never dramatic.
Yeah, right. In your dreams. I’ll believe that when soccer is the most popular sport in the U.S.
ASU needed this series. Their fading hopes of hosting a NCAA regional matchup rested on how well they played against subpar team in Washington State. After losing their midweek game to New Mexico, ASU had lost five of their last seven games and was uncharacteristically reeling to find themselves.
Well, courtesy of some incredible pitching and more late-innings drama (geez how much can one team have) ASU took home their seventh Pac-12 series of the season and righted the reeling ship.
ASU 5, WSU 0
Ryan Kellog is a force of nature that cannot be stopped. With ASU’s hopes of hosting a regional on the line, the southpaw did his part, throwing his way to a complete game shoutout against the Cougars. Picking up his 27th win of his ASU career, Kellog struck out 11, one short of his career high, didn’t walk a batter, and at one point retired 16 straight hitters. The lefty allowed two runners in both eighth and ninth innings, but thanks to a couple strikeouts and a timely double play, he worked out of the jam.
The offense didn’t have to do much, but Trevor Allen made sure Kellog was given an early cushion on the mound. Allen got ASU on the scoreboard quickly with a two-run single in the bottom of the second that scored David Greer and Joey Bielek. Not much was needed after that, but ASU tacked on some insurance in the seventh and eighth.
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WSU 1, ASU 0
IT’S GROUNDHOG DAYYYY. Not really. But ASU lefty Brett Lilek was certainly doing his best to duplicate Kellog’s memorable performance from the previous night. Lilek dominated for his second straight game, allowing one hit and striking out seven through seven innings of brilliant work. Darin Gillies, a.k.a The Bridge, took it the rest of the way allowing only one run.
The only problem?
The Devils offense decided not to show up.
Whether it was the rain delay or the post-finals excitement, in this extra innings pitchers duel, the Devils were never able to piece together the big hits. They loaded the bases in the sixth, but were unable to get the run home. The seventh was a similar story as they put runners on first and second, but a double play stifled the opportunity.
Washington State took the lead in the tenth inning thanks to a walk, wild pitch and single from Wes Leow.
ASU 6, WSU 5
It was senior night in Tempe, but it was the freshman who propelled ASU to another extra-innings win and the series victory. In the 11th inning, Andrew Snow knocked an RBI double down the right field line to bring home Trevor Allen. It was Snow’s fist walk-off hit of his career.
After being shutout the previous night, ASU offense emerged from the dugout on fire in the first. Brian Serven got ASU going with a two-run double. As if scripted ASU’s senior leader, Trevor Allen took things into his own hands demolishing a two-run homer to give the Devils a commanding four run lead.
With his home run, Allen became the 17th ASU player to tally 200-hits, 100-RBI’s, and 20 home runs. Along came the fourth inning, thanks to back-to-back-to-back singles, ASU delivered a two out rally to make it 5-1.
Washington State was full of fight. Wazzou rallied for three runs of ASU starter Seth Martinez, including a two-run shot. After a scoreless two innings of relief from Darin Gilles, closer Ryan Burr came on for the 3-inning save. But things backfired for the clutch pitcher as he gave up the lead and WSU tied the game in the seventh.
In typical ASU Baseball fashion, the game remained tied and went to extras. Both teams had chances, but Burr put the team on his shoulders and pitched incredibly down the stretch to give ASU their chance in the 11th inning.
Up Next
ASU hosts Abeline-Christian Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Then ASU will head to SoCal for what is shaping up to be their biggest series of the season. ASU versus USC with second place in the Pac-12 and regional hosting aspirations on the line. It doesn’t get any better than this, folks.