Snyder's Two Home Runs Fail To Douse Sun Devil Flames As Huskies Drop Game One

The Huskies rode a ton of momentum into Phoenix Municipal Stadium Friday night following last weekend's sweep of Washington State.  It would take more than good vibes to beat a determined Arizona State team on their home diamond though, and the challenge became apparent on the first pitch of the game.

Top of 1
McKay Barney stepped in eager to get off to a fast start and laced the first pitch into center field. Unfortunately the center fielder made an immediate charge toward the ball and dove forward for an incredible catch.  The following two batters grounded out to third to end the top half of the inning.

Bottom of 1
RHP Jared Engman got the start on the mound, but found himself in trouble early.  A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for the fourth batter who came up with one out. He drove an RBI single to left field where a misplay by AJ Guerrero allowed ASU to send a second runner home as well.

Top of 2
Guerrero dropped a one-out single into right center. Michael Snyder stepped up next and launched a 2-2 breaking ball over the fence in straight away right field to tie the game at two a piece.

Top of 3
Josh Urps led off with a double halfway up the fence in right field. Two batters later, Will Simpson ripped a line drive just over a leaping shortstop scoring Urps to give the Huskies a 3-2 lead.

Bottom of 3
A leadoff single, followed by an RBI double, and next, a home run to right center quickly put three on the board for ASU putting them up 5-3. Two more singles followed a strikeout and Adam Bloebaum was brought in to replace Engman on the mound.

Top of 4
With two outs, Urps was sent to first after taking a pitch near his ankle. Next up, Barney stepped to the plate for the third time and slashed one the other way. It was a fair line drive, but sliced far into foul territory giving Urps plenty of time to score from first. Huskies now trailed 5-4.

Bottom of 4
Following a leadoff single the second batter followed suit with a drive to center. Barney lost his footing a bit allowing the runner to advance putting runners on the corners.  A ground ball to Cam Clayton at shortstop was delivered slightly wide of First Baseman Will Simpson who reached to his right and caught the ball momentarily until it ultimately dribbled out. A run scored on the play. The next batter singled through the right side scoring another run.  Two batters later, another single drove in the third run of the inning. He would later be picked off at first base to end the inning with ASU on top 8-4.

Bottom of 5
A leadoff walk followed by a double put runners on second and third with no outs for ASU. A sacrifice fly followed making it a 9-4 ballgame. Next, Cam Clayton made a spectacular play at short snagging a line drive and firing it to third to double up the baserunner.

Top of 6
Snyder struck again driving a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for his second home run of the night, pulling the Huskies within four at 9-5. Michael Brown dug in two batters later and put a charge into one that took the center fielder all the way to the fence. With his back against the wall, the center fielder jumped up leaving the crowd looking for answers. He soon revealed the ball however, as he tossed it up out of his mitt.

Bottom of 6
Following a leadoff walk, Bryce Armstrong replaced Bloebaum on the mound. A single and another walk loaded the bases for the next batter who drove an RBI single up the middle making the score 10-5. Three infield fly outs followed the end the inning.

Bottom of 7
ASU's leadoff batter squared around and laid the first pitch down the third base line for a base hit.  Two ground outs later he found himself on third.  He would then score on the next batter's single to right field.

Bottom of 8
The Huskies were able to get two quick outs to start the inning, but it simply wasn't the Dawgs' night. The third batter drew a full count walk and would score as the next batter doubled to center field.

Top of 9
The Huskies had a steep hill to climb with the score 12-5.  Ben Smith pinch hit for Clayton and led off with a base hit up the middle, but the next three batters would put the bat on the ball without finding any holes and go down in order to end the game.

Starter Jared Engman went two and a third and took the loss moving to 2-3 while giving up five earned runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Huskies will look to bounce back Saturday afternoon at 2PM as Calvin Kirchoff takes the mound in Game Two.