It was a big-time night Keaschall, who put the team on his back with a pair of two-out home runs for five RBIs to single-handedly pace the Sun Devil offense. Jacob Tobias’ multi-hit night brought in a pivotal insurance run in the sixth which would prove to be the difference in the final box score.
Ross Dunn had the mound tonight for the Sun Devils (14-8, 3-1 Pac-12), battling despite not having his best stuff to go 4.2 innings with seven hits, three runs and six strikeouts. Matt Tieding piggy-backed Dunn, delivering a solid 3.1 innings of relief only allowing one hit and one run with no walks and two strikeouts to earn the win. Dunn and Tieding combined to strand nine Wildcat baserunners.
In the end, it was Blake Pivaroff who came in and recorded a save and a victory for the Sun Devils.
THE TURNING POINT
In a 2-2 ball game, Ross Dunn was caught in a jam in the top of the third inning with the bases loaded with two-outs. He buckled down to record a strikeout that not only retired the side, but it kept the Wildcats from taking the lead early on.
THE BIG MOMENT
Following Ross Dunn’s jam escape, the Devils mounted a massive two-out rally in the bottom half of the frame beginning with a Ryan Campos double to put runners on second and third with two outs. Luke Keaschall’s staggering three-run home run to right center – his second two-out homer in the first three innings – just cleared the mit of Arizona center fielder Mac Bingham broke the 2-2 tie and put the Devils up 5-2.
THE FINAL STRAW
With what turned out to be much needed insurance, Jacob Tobias drove in an RBI single in the sixth which would extend the Sun Devils lead to 6-3 at the time. That sixth run would be enough help to hold off the Wildcats tonight as Blake Pivaroff entered to close the game out against the heart of the Wildcat order with a 6-4 lead, recording a pair of strikeouts – including the final out of the game after giving up a two-run solo shot that brought the Wildcats back within a run.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
In the top of the first, the Wildcats got off to a strong start with a leadoff triple to start the game. A one-out walk put the Wildcats at the corners, and a single on the ensuing at-bat gave them the early 1-0 advantage. A Ross Dunn strikeout made it two-outs, but with runners on first and second, the Wildcats drove in another run via an RBI single to extend their lead to 2-0. An attempted stolen base failed for the Wildcats as Ryan Campos threw them out. The Wildcats led 2-0 heading into the bottom half.
In the bottom half, the Sun Devils answered early with a two-out rally which started with a Ryan Campos hit-by-pitch followed by Luke Keaschall crushing a 96 mph fastball over the right-center wall which tied the game up. Jacob Tobias gave the ball a ride to straightaway center, but was just short of a back-to-back home run, ending the inning. The game was tied 2-2.
Second Inning
In the top of the second, A Ross Dunn strikeout, his first of the night and a flyout quickly brought the inning to two outs. A hit-by-pitch brought a Wildcat to the bases, but a flyout to Wyatt Crenshaw ended the inning. The game was still tied 2-2.
In the bottom half, a quiet inning for the Sun Devils offensively with a flyout followed by two strikeouts to put the Sun Devils down in order. The game was still tied 2-2.
Third Inning
In the top of the third, a self imploding situation for Ross Dunn who allowed three consecutive walks to load the bases with two-outs. However, a critical strikeout got him out of the jam. The game was still tied 2-2.
In the bottom half, another two-out rally for the Sun Devils. Kien Vu started the inning on base from a hit-by-pitch. With two outs, Ryan Campos doubled to right field to put the Sun Devils on second and third. Then, Luke Keaschall drives a three-run home run over the center field wall to give the Sun Devils the 5-2 lead. Jacob Tobias grounded out to end the inning. The Sun Devils led 5-2.
Fourth Inning
In the top of the fourth, a one-out double had the Wildcats in scoring position early. A popout made it two outs with the runner still on second. A passed ball advanced the Wildcat’s runner to third, but to no avail. A flyout ended the inning. The Sun Devils still led 5-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, there was nothing for the Sun Devils. A lineout, strikeout and flyout put them down in order. The Sun Devils still led 5-2.
Fifth Inning
In the top of the fifth, the Wildcats manufactured a two-out run of their own. A single followed by a stolen base brought the runner into scoring position. An RBI single brought the run home for the third Wildcat run of the game. A following single ended the night for Ross Dun, where Matt Tieding came in to replace him with two-outs in the fifth with runners on first and second. A crucial strikeout ended the threats and limited the damage. The Sun Devils still led 5-3.
In the bottom half, a one out single from Wyatt Crenshaw brought a Sun Devil on base, however a strikeout and throwout double play quickly ended the inning. The Sun Devils still led 5-3.
Sixth Inning
In the top of the sixth, a lone hit by pitch was the only action on the bases for the Wildcats as the Sun Devils made quick work via a foul out, ground out and fly out. The Sun Devils still led 5-3.
In the bottom half, a one-out E5 on a Luke Keaschall grounder advanced him to second base and a Jacob Tobias RBI single brought him home to extend the lead to three. A strikeout and a throw out ended the inning. The Sun Devils led 6-3.
Seventh Inning
In the top of the seventh, a Wildcat solo home run gave them their fourth run of the game, but a fly out pop out and strike out ended anything further. The Sun Devils still led 6-4.
In the bottom of the seventh, a lone single for Wyatt Crenshaw was the only action offensively for the Sun Devils. They still led 6-4 heading into the eighth.
Eighth Inning
In the top of the eighth, a ground out, fly out and a line out sat the Wildcats down in order for the first time tonight. The Sun Devils still led 6-4.
In the bottom half, a Jacob Tobias single was the only offense for the Sun Devils on the bases. The Sun Devils still led 6-4.
Ninth Inning
In the top of the ninth, the Wildcats hit a two-out solo home run to cut the deficit to one. However, it was Blake Pivaroff to grab the strikeout, save and Sun Devils win.
UP NEXT:
Sun Devil Baseball continues the set against Arizona at 6:00 p.m. MST Saturday night from Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network and available over the airwaves on KDUS 1060 AM.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kennan O’Rourke and Josh Schwam
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