Nu’u Contrades launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth and Khristian Curtisrallied from a tough opening frame for arguably his best outing of the season. But a late gamble to turn an inning-ending double play allowed the tying run to score in the eighth and before Cal notched a solo blast in the ninth to end things.
Curtis had a career-high nine strikeouts in 5.2 innings with just two earned runs allowed to put himself in position for the win prior to the come-from-behind victory.
Contrades, Ryan Campos and Wyatt Crenshaw had multi-hit days for the Sun Devils but the offense struck out 13 times and stranded nine runners – going just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position
TURNING POINT
The Sun Devil bats erupted in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead of Nu’u Contrades’ three-run homer. Ryan Campos followed that with a single to chase the Cal starter with no outs. With the Bears on the ropes, ASU could do no more in the inning, stranding Campos at first. ASU would have runners in scoring position in the sixth and eighth as well but could not find the insurance runs it would need to put the game away.
BIG MOMENT
With ASU up 4-3 in the eighth, Cal got runners to the corners with one out. A soft grounder to Contrades allowed the freshman to get the lead out at second while holding the runner at third in place momentarily. But ASU took the gutsy chance to try and turn an inning ending double play, unsuccessfully doing so and allowing the Cal runner to score the tying run.
FINAL STRAW
There was not much room for theatrics as the leadoff batter for Cal in the ninth wasted no time ending the game with a solo home run to even the series.
INNING-BY-INNING
First Inning
Wyatt Crenshaw battled from behind in the count to get a leadoff single but he would end up stranded at second after the next three Devils went down in order. A leadoff error and a single set the table for a no-out three-run shot to drop ASU into an early hole. Cal would get two more on in the inning but Curtis stranded them to keep it to a 3-0 game.
Second Inning
ASU got a leadoff walk from Tobias but couldn’t do anything else with it. Curtis settled in nicely for a much-need 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half.
Third Inning
The Devils went down in order. Khristian Curtis was one pitch shy of an immaculate inning, tossing ball one on the first pitch of the frame before striking out the side on the next nine.
Fourth Inning
The Devils tried to mount a two-out rally, getting runners on the corners behind a walk and error but a strikeout ended the threat. Kien Vu had the early defensive play of the game, cut off what looked like a sure-double down the left field line off the bat and humming it into second in plenty of time for the tag as Curtis faced the minimum in the inning to keep it 3-0.
Fifth Inning
The Sun Devil bats finally came alive with a leadoff walk from Willie Cano and a single from Kien Vu to put runners on the corners. Crenshaw got a RBI infield single before Contrades absolutely launched a massive go-ahead three-run homer to make it 4-3. Campos singled to chase the Cal starter but ASU couldn’t tack any more on.
Curtis did his part, putting the Cal batters down in order even after having to sit for a significant amount of time on a chilly night in the top half of the frame, capped by a diving stab from Keaschall to keep the Devils on top.
Sixth Inning
Willie Cano got a one-out double but would end up stranded at third. Curtis’ day came to an end after giving up two walks in the bottom half of the frame, with Nolan Lebamoff spelling him with runners on first and second and one out. Lebamoff got a shallow fly ball to keep the runners in place before giving way to Timmy Manning, who induced an inning ending flyout to center to keep the Devils on top.
Seventh Inning
The Devils went down on just five pitches. Timmy Manning picked up his offense with a 1-2-3 inning of his own to keep it a one-run ASU advantage.
Eighth Inning
Isaiah Jackson got to second on a two-out error but ASU couldn’t push across the insurance run. Matt Tieding came in relief of Manning after a one-out walk. A walk and a single put two one with one out and Cal stole third to put runners on the corners. ASU came up just a tick shy of an inning-ending double play, allowing the runner at third to score and tie the game. Contrades made a nice charging play for the final out to keep things even at 4-4.
Ninth Inning
ASU got a pair of two-out singles from Contrades and Campos but couldn’t capitalize. Cal ended the game immediately with a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the frame.
ON DECK
The Sun Devils will look to take the rubber match tomorrow at 2 p.m. AZT. All three games in the series will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks and available over local airwaves on KDUS 1060 AM.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
