After a slow start to the bats, the Sun Devils came alive in the sixth behind Tobias’ go-ahead two-RBI triple to claim the first lead of the game and Nu’u Contrades recorded his third homer in as many games – a two-run dagger in the seventh.
Lost in the late offensive flurry was the exceptional bullpen day from the Sun Devils, as five pitchers combined to limit a potent UNLV that average a tick short of 8.0 runs per game this season to a measly pair of runs on just six hits. The group combined to strike out 10 to just three walks while Nolan Lebamoff picked up the win to move to 3-0.
The Devils added an errorless day in the field, highlighted by several web gems to complete the overall effort and move to 17-8 on the season.
TURNING POINT
With the Sun Devil bats struggling early, the onus fell to the pitching rotation to keep the team within striking distance and they responded in kind. Josh Hansell settled in after a two-out triple in the first that scored on a wild pitch to toss another pair of scoreless innings, including stranding a runner at third in the third. Nolan Lebamoff spelled Hansell and spun two scoreless frames with three strikeouts to keep the game at 1-0 and give the bats time to wake up.
BIG MOMENT
Wake up is exactly what the bats did in the top of the sixth. Ryan Campos led off with a single and Luke Keaschall was hit by a pitch and Jacob Tobias did the rest, logging his team-leading third triple of the year and fourth of his career to plate both and give the Devils a 2-1 lead. Isaiah Jackson tacked on his team-leading fourth sac fly of the season to make it 3-1.
FINAL STRAW
UNLV came right back with a pair of leadoff hits in the bottom of the inning but Matt Tieding got out of it with just one run allowed. Clinging to a 3-2 lead in the seventh, Nu’u Contrades continued his insane hot streak with a two-run shot off the scoreboard in left field to give the Sun Devils the cushion they would need to close the game our without pomp and circumstance.
INNING-BY-INNING
First Inning
Contrades drew a one-out walk and stole second but that was the extent of the action. UNLV drew first blood with a two-out triple and a wild pitch.
Second Inning
Tobias led off the inning with a single but UNLV got a fielder’s choice, strikeout and pickoff to end the frame. Hansell settled in and retired the side in order.
Third Inning
Kien Vu got a one-out double and moved to third on a groundout but ASU couldn’t bring him home. A one-out double would end up stranded at third after a strikeout and groundout to keep the score 1-0.
Fourth Inning
ASU had its first shot with runners on the corners and just one out behind singles from Campos and Tobias but a strikeout and fielder’s choice kept the Devils off the board. Lebamoff entered the game and recorded three straight groundouts for a scoreless frame.
Fifth Inning
Crenshaw notched a two-out double but no more from the Sun Devils. Lebamoff struck out the side bookending a two-out walk.
Sixth Inning
ASU’s bats finally came alive with a single from Campos and a Keaschall HBP that preceded Tobias’ go-ahead triple to make it 2-1. Isaiah Jackson would plate Tobias with a sac fly to make it 3-1. UNLV came right back with a leadoff double and a single to put runners on the corners with no outs but Matt Tieding held the damage to just a sac fly that made it 3-2.
Seventh Inning
Crenshaw notched his second his with a leadoff single and Contrades got the big knock with his third home run in as many games for a two-run shot to make it 5-2. UNLV got a one-out single but a shoestring catch from Kien Vu in left and an inning-ending diving play from Jackson in center ended the threat.
Eighth Inning
ASU got one more insurance run after a leadoff walk from Hill and a single from Jackson to put runners on the corners. Hill scored despite a double play to make it 6-2. UNLV got a leadoff single but no more as Blake Pivaroff closed the door.
Ninth Inning
The Devils went down in order. Owen Stevenson allowed a one-out walk but a strikeout and harmless groundout ended the game.
ON DECK
The Sun Devils will look to continue their hot play on the road at Cal for a three-game Pac-12 series in Berkeley beginning Friday at 7 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
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