Baseball Unable To Complete 10-Run Rally In 10-7 Loss At WSU
PULLMAN, Wash. - The 21st-ranked Arizona State University baseball team fell behind by 10 runs in the fourth inning, but brought the tying run to the plate in the eighth before they fell to Washington State, 10-7, on Saturday at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman, Wash.
An eight-run fourth inning for WSU put the Sun Devils in an early 10-0 hole, but ASU countered with five runs in the fifth to cut their deficit to five. They scored once in both the sixth and eighth innings, and a trio of right-handed relievers held the Cougars scoreless for the final four frames, but the Devils were unable to complete the comeback.
Shortstop Drew Stankiewicz tallied a career-high four hits and four others recorded a pair of hits, including right fielder Trever Allen, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Designated hitter RJ Ybarra drove in three runs and second baseman Tucker Esmay went 2-for-4 and scored the final two runs for the Sun Devils (32-22, 18-11).
The Cougars (24-29, 14-15) struck first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third and used nine hits to produce eight runs in the bottom of the fourth as they sent 13 batters to plate. Four straight hits to open the inning stretched their lead to four, consecutive doubles made it 7-0, and three two-out RBI singles gave the Cougars a 10-run advantage.
A hit batter, a single and a walk loaded the bases for the Devils with one out in the top of the fifth, and four straight singles brought home five runs. Ybarra put ASU on the scoreboard first with a two-run single through the left side, and first baseman Nate Causey, Allen and third baseman Dalton DiNatale each followed with RBI base hits.
Esmay produced the Devils’ sixth run of the game in the top of the sixth inning after he reached on a throwing error, moved to third on a wild pitch and a groundout, and came home on a RBI single from Stankiewicz.
Esmay singled to open the eighth inning, Stankiewicz followed with a base hit two batters later and Ybarra drove a two-out RBI single to left field to bring ASU within three, but Causey flew out to left field to end the late rally.
Starting left-hander Ryan Kellogg (8-3) was chased with one out in the bottom of the fourth and was responsible for six runs on six hits in the frame to take the loss. He allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.
Right-hander Eric Melbostad took over with one out in the bottom of the fourth and recorded a groundout to the first batter he faced before he gave up three run-scoring singles. He induced a flyout to end the frame, tossed a perfect fifth inning and was replaced by right-hander Cory Bernard with one out and a runner on first in the sixth.
Bernard scattered one hit in 1 2/3 innings and right-hander Hever Bueno struck out one in a perfect eighth.
WSU right-hander Kellen Camus (6-1) earned the win in 2 2/3 innings and right-hander Ian Hamilton (15) did not allow a run in the final 1 1/3 frames to record the save. Starting left-hander Jason Monda struck out eight in the first four innings, but surrendered five runs in the fifth and took a no-decision.
Notes
The Sun Devils moved to 48-15 all-time against the Cougars, including a 15-8 record in Pullman…left fielder Jake Peevyhouse has reached base in 20 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team this season…Stankiewicz is batting .588 with 10 hits in his past four games, including six in two games against the Cougars.
Up Next
The Sun Devils close out the regular season against Washington State on May 25 in Pullman, Wash. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. Live stats will also be available.
Sunday’s Pitching Matchup
ASU: RHP Darin Gillies (2-4, 5.00 ERA)
WSU: RHP Tanner Chleborad (4-6, 3.68 ERA)
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