Allowing two solo home runs in the top of the ninth, Isaiah Jackson’s solo jack in their last frame wasn’t enough to cut the deficit.
Starting pitcher Wyatt Halvorson struck out four batters over 3.0 innings pitched, allowing four hits, three runs, and walking one over 50 pitches. Ryan Schiefer added three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of relief, and Matt Tieding another two in his 2.0.
The home run from Isaiah Jackson was one of only four hits from the Sun Devils, as Jacob Tobias recorded a double and Brandon Compton and Kien Vu each added singles.
TURNING POINT
Beginning with a solo home run in the second, Utah Valley brought one runner around the plates in the second, third, and fourth innings. In the third inning, a simple bunt later advanced to third on a pickoff attempt at first, and the runner was brought home by a fly out to center field. The fourth inning saw another pickoff error allow runners to steal second and third and earn the Wolverines’ third run in as many innings on a groundout to shortstop. ASU trailed 3-0.
BIG MOMENT
Another error by the Sun Devils in the top of the seventh left a Wolverine on first, and a passed ball let him advance to second. ASU recorded a groundout and a foul out that put the runner on third but left only one out to go in order to escape the inning without allowing a run. After an intentional walk stole second, however, a strong single split the left side and brought home both runners in scoring position. Harris Williams was able to get under a foul fly and close the inning with ASU now trailing 5-0.
FINAL STRAW
Utah Valley’s pitching held ASU without a hit until the seventh inning, when the Sun Devils erupted for one extra base hit and two singles amidst two walks to bring four runners in and cut the deficit to one. The Wolverines got right back to it in the eighth, however, striking out two and only allowing one on via walk. Two solo home runs in the top of the ninth put the game out of reach for the Sun Devils, although Isaiah Jackson sent a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the inning.
INNING BY INNING
First Inning
Steven Ondina made a quick throw from shortstop to first to record the first out. After allowing one hit to third, Wyatt Halvorson struck out the next two Utah Valley batters. After a fly out to right field, a 4-0 walk and a hit by pitch put Ethan Mendoza and Ryan Campos on base. An ensuing hit to second base was turned for a double play.
Second Inning
A home run to center field from the first Wolverine batter was quickly followed up by a fly out to right and two more strikeouts from Halvorson. Sun Devil batters made contact twice, but went down 1-2-3.
Third Inning
The Wolverines landed another run after a runner on first advanced to third on a failed attempted pickoff. A flyout to center field allowed him to score, and the second fly out to left field of the inning closed the frame with the Sun Devils down 2-0. Jax Ryan got to third on a walk, stolen base, and a fly out but was stranded on another fly out. ASU batters went down in order.
Fourth Inning
Utah Valley quickly put runners on first and second via single and walk, and forced Ryan Schiefer to come in for ASU on the mound. After a flyout, he threw a pickoff attempt over second base that allowed runners to reach second and third. A groundout to shortstop let one score before a fly out and Schiefer’s first strikeout ended the frame. The Sun Devils were retired in order.
Fifth Inning
The first Wolverine to the plate hit a single. A fly out preceded a walk and Schiefer’s second strikeout. With two outs, another walk loaded the bases and put pressure on the mound. Schiefer came through with his third punchout to end the first scoreless frame for the Wolverines since the opening inning. Again, the Sun Devils didn’t get on base.
Sixth Inning
After a single up the middle, Matt Tieding struck out two and a line out to left field closed out the frame. All three Sun Devils grounded out.
Seventh Inning
Another error by the Sun Devils left a Wolverine on first, and a passed ball let him advance to second. A groundout put the runner on third, and a foul out made it possible to get out of the inning without allowing a run. After an intentional walk stole second, however, a strong single split the left side and brought home both runners in scoring position. Williams was able to get under a foul fly and close the inning down 5-0. After a groundout to begin the bottom of the inning, Tobias earned the Sun Devils first hit on a deep double to left field. Compton earned their second with a single, and a Jackson walk loaded the bases and brought out a new Wolverine pitcher. Ondina was then walked, bringing Tobias home for the Sun Devils’ first score. Vu then stepped up for his first at-bat of the game and made contact with a ball that would take a Sun Devil bounce to get past first base and bring two runners in. Ondina got home on a groundout, cutting the Wolverines lead to 5-4 by the end of the inning.
Eighth Inning
The first Utah Valley batter was walked, and a single to right field put two on. Both runners were put in scoring positions after a sac bunt towards third. Jacobs then came in to pitch for ASU and struck out the first batter. A hit by pitch loaded the bases for Utah Valley and things looked grim, but another huge strikeout from Jacobs ended the frame with three runners stranded. Besides a Campos walk, the Sun Devils grounded out and struck out twice.
Ninth Inning
Two of Utah Valley’s first three batters sent a homer to left center, while the other was struck out. Cole Carlon entered and delivered another strikeout before hitting the next batter and then allowing a walk. With two on, Williams got under a fly to right field to enter the last three outs for ASU.
ON DECK
ASU travels to Pullman this weekend to face Washington State in a three-game conference series starting on Friday night.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Jeremy Hawkes
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