ASU Baseball: Devils Fall Short Against Wildcats
By Mike Slifer
The Arizona State baseball team dropped a hotly contested game to the Arizona Wildcats last night in a thriller, 10-9.
The non-conference game was the last that will be played between these storied programs at Packard Stadium in Tempe. Starting next season, ASU will play at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. (Oakland A’s)
This game was a wild affair from the beginning. It featured multiple lead changes, most of them following each other every half inning. It probably wasn’t the prettiest baseball game played. There were several errors and miscues by both teams. This marks the fifth ASU/UA baseball game in a row (going back to last season) that has come down to the final at-bat.
In the end, Arizona simply outlasted the Sun Devils. ASU relief pitcher Ryan Burr was brought in to close out the 8th inning, but he wouldn’t go unscathed. ASU ended up batting in the bottom of the ninth inning down one run. Catcher RJ Ybarra led off with a long fly ball that nearly tied the game, but instead landed short off the wall giving him a lead-off double. After a balk, Esmay, who was pinch-running for Ybarra moved to third. However ASU’s next 3 hitters could not get Esmay home to tie it up.
With the loss, ASU drops to 17-13 overall and 7-5 in the conference, putting them in a tie for fifth place in the PAC-12 standings.
ASU will play Arizona in Tucson for an official PAC-12 conference 3 game series next month.
ASU is now riding a 2 game losing streak, after falling short last Sunday versus USC. Although, they won the series against the Trojans, taking games 1 and 2.
Next up for the Sun Devils is California. That series will start Friday and be played in Tempe. If ASU means business, they need to sweep the Golden Bears. Cal is struggling right now with a 14-15 record (3-6 in conference).