Torrez, Gold Open Maroon & Gold World With 5-1 Win
PHOENIX – Redshirt sophomore shortstop Emilio Torrez knocked in the go-ahead two-run double in the top of the sixth inning to give the Gold team a 5-1 victory in game one and a 1-0 lead in the inaugural Maroon and Gold World Series on Tuesday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Gold manager Willie Bloomquist and general manager Brandon Higelin earned the win, while Maroon manager Pat Murphy and general manager Ben Greenspan walked off with the loss.
“It was great to have two Sun Devil legends in Pat Murphy and Willie Bloomquist in our dugouts,” Commissioner Tracy Smith said. “Our starting pitching was special, as was the atmosphere inside Muni. This is already shaping up to be a series for the ages.”
Torrez broke open a 1-1 tie in the sixth when he drove home freshman second baseman Ryan Peep and junior left fielder Cullen O’Dwyer, who reached base on a fielding error and a single, respectively. The Brophy Prep product from Phoenix began the game with a sliding web gem in foul territory in the bottom of the first and earned Most Valuable Player honors for his all-around excellence.
“There might have been some cold weather out here tonight, but the Maroon team should be sweating,” Torrez said. “We came ready to play and that showed tonight. Coach Willie really motivated us beforehand and was able to get the best out of us.”
Junior left-handed starters Ryan Kellogg (Maroon) and Brett Lilek (Gold) kept the game in a scoreless tie for the first 2 1/2 innings. Kellogg allowed just one hit and two walks across three innings and Lilek gave up a pair of hits in two frames.
Gold sophomore right-hander Hever Bueno (1-0) scattered three hits and a run across three innings to earn the win. Gold junior right-hander Ryan Burr (1) tossed a pair of scoreless frames to record the save, including a perfect sixth inning. Maroon threatened with runners at second and third in the bottom of the seventh, but Burr induced a swinging strikeout to close out the win.
After a perfect opening frame from both starters, the first baserunner of the game came on a walk from Kellogg, but he made sure freshman third baseman Ryan Lillard didn’t stick around too long as he picked him off at first to end the inning.
Gold scored the first run of the game on a double by redshirt senior Trever Allen in the top of the fifth, but Maroon countered in the bottom of the frame with a RBI single from junior right fielder Chris Beall.
O’Dwyer added a two-run double in the top of the seventh to extend Gold’s lead to four after freshman right-hander Grant Schneider loaded the bases on three walks.
Maroon used a pair of two-way players, junior right-handers Jordan Aboites and David Graybill, in the loss. Aboites (0-1) allowed two runs, including one earned, in the sixth inning to take the loss, and singled and started at second base. Graybill did not allow an earned run on a hit, a walk and a hit batter in two innings, and scored a run and threw first baseman RJ Ybarra out at home from center field.
Game two is set for a 3:30 p.m. start at Phoenix Muni with batting practice 30 minutes prior. Parking and admission are free.
Game 1
Gold 000 102 2 – 5 5 0
Maroon 000 100 0 – 1 6 2
MVP: Torrez (2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI)
W: Bueno (1-0)
L: Aboites (0-1)
S: Burr (1)
Gold Team
Guest Manager – Willie Bloomquist
General Manager – Brandon Higelin
1. Sewald – CF
2. Allen – RF
3. Serven – C
4. Ybarra – 1B
5. Peep – 2B
6. Lillard – 3B
7. O’Dwyer – LF
8. Torrez – 6
9. Lingos – DH
Lilek – LHP
Maroon Team
Guest Manager – Pat Murphy
General Manager – Ben Greenspan
1. Aboites – 2B
2. Peevyhouse – LF
3. DiNatale – 3B
4. Graybill – CF
5. Beall – RF
6. Woodmansee – SS
7. Bielek – 1B
8. Cerbo – C
Kellogg – LHP
2015 Season Tickets
Season tickets are available now for the 2015 season at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Tickets range from $99 for general admission to $375 for field reserved/infield box, and season parking passes cost $35. Click here to view the 2015 Sun Devil Baseball pricing map and click here to purchase tickets.
Transitioning The Legacy Campaign
Season ticket holders will also have an opportunity to make a capital campaign commitment towards the Phoenix Muni renovations. All gifts, no matter the size, are important and appreciated, and can be a one-time gift or a five-year pledge. Fans interested in naming opportunities at Phoenix Muni can contact the Sun Devil Club at 480-727-7700. All commitments are tax-deductible through the Sun Devil Club. Join our community and own a piece of our hometown team.
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