The Sun Devils (5-4) held Texas A&M (9-0) to just four runs on four hits after the Aggies entered the contest fourth in the country in batting average (.376) and ninth in scoring (11.6). Unfortunately ASU mustered just two hits in the contest, both off the bat of freshman Ethan Mendoza in his hometown return to the DFW area.
Thomas Burns shook off a disastrous start to grind through 4.0 innings after two leadoff walks and a three-run homer had the freshman on his heels before recording the first out of the game. Ryan Shiefer was exceptional in relief, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced with five strikeouts. Sean Fitzpatrick added a scoreless frame as well as ASU struck out 12 A&M batters in the contest.
TURNING POINT
The turning point in this contest came right out the gates as freshman Thomas Burnslabored through a difficult first inning after a 90-minute delay due to the previous game going running late into extra innings. Burns walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a three-run shot to opposite left center that just cleared the outfield wall. That 3-0 lead would prove to be the only offense Texas A&M would need in the game.
BIG MOMENT
Burns had looked to settle in with two quick outs in the bottom of the third after stranding the bases loaded in the second. But Texas A&M would launch another oppo taco to extend the inning and effectively put a stamp on the game with the Sun Devil offense struggling.
FINAL STRAW
Ethan Mendoza was the only Sun Devil to record a hit in the game, with his second coming on a leadoff single in the eighth with ASU trying to mount a late rally. The next three Sun Devils would go down in order, however, ending the threat without any fanfare as the Aggies would post a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the deal.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Nick McLain drew a one-out walk in his first plate appearance of the season after returning from hamate surgery but that would be the extent of ASU’s offensive action in the frame. A pair of leadoff walks from Burns would come back to bite the team on a three-run homer to give A&M the early lead. Burns would settle in to strike out the side to prevent further damage but A&M would take an early 3-0 lead.
Second Inning
Mendoza lined one into the gap in right center field but an impressive diving catch from the right fielder as the ball refused to drop would lead to a 1-2-3 frame for ASU. Texas A&M loaded the bases without a hit behind two more walks and a HBP but Burns was able to leave them stranded with no damage done to keep it 3-0.
Third Inning
Ondina looked to take a one-out pitch off the left elbow but was ruled to have leaned into the pitch, a call thats stood upon instant replay. That would lead to another scoreless 1-2-3 frame for the Sun Devils. After two quick outs, A&M was able to get a wall scraper solo shot to make it 4-0. A single and a walk would put two more on for the Aggies but Burns was able to get a flyout to center to keep the Sun Devils within four.
Fourth Inning
Campos drew a one-out walk for just ASU’s second baserunner of the game but that was the extent of things as A&M got back-to-back strikeouts to strand him. Things got a little spicy in the bottom half as a hit by pitch led to some jawing and warnings to both benches but Burns was able to grind through the frame to keep the game at 4-0.
Fifth Inning
In his return to his hometown, Ethan Mendoza got the first hit of the game for the Sun Devils with a drive to deep left center for a one-out double. ASU was unable to capitalize however with a strikeout and flyout ending the threat. Ryan Schiefer entered in relief and posted ASU’s first 1-2-3 frame of the game, striking out a pair in the process.
Sixth Inning
The top of the lineup went down in order as A&M went to the pen for the first time in the game. Ryan Schiefer added another 1-2-3 frame, striking out another pair of A&M batters in the process.
Seventh Inning
The Sun Devils would go down in order again in the seventh. Schiefer allowed his first baserunner on a two-out walk but stranded that runner in scoring position with a groundout to end the frame.
Eighth Inning
Mendoza led off the game with his second hit of the game – ASU’s only hits of the game – but the Sun Devils couldn’t do anything behind him with the next three batters going down in order. Sean Fitzpatrick stranded a two-out Texas League single in scoring position after a wild pitch to cap off an impressive outing from Sun Devil pitchers.
Ninth Inning
The heart of the order couldn’t solve the Aggie pitching, going down in order without any pomp and circumstance to end the contest.
ON DECK:
Sun Devil Baseball will take on No. 5 TCU tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. AZT (6 p.m. Texas time). The game will be available via live stream on FloSports while available over the airwaves.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
Click on Logo
