ASU Baseball: Devils Blank UA 7-0 in Tucson

ASU took another step towards securing a postseason berth defeating UA 7-0 in baseball’s version of the Territorial Cup. The 2012 National Champions Wildcats struggled, once again, hitting the ball against ASU pitcher Ryan Kellogg (6-2) after losing 2-1 the previous night.

This was a tight game through the Fourth Inning until SS Drew Stankiewicz and DH RJ Ybarra exploded for 2 huge doubles scoring a pair of runs each giving Kellogg a 4-0 lead he would not relinquish. Kellogg had 8 strikeouts, a career high in PAC-12 competition, none bigger than against UA’s Riley Moore in the second with the bases loaded.

The offense put it all together Saturday as LF Chris Beall had a career night with four hits and 2 RBI and RF Jake Peevyhouse went for 2 more runs leading the Sun Devils in the Sixth Inning to cement their lead for good. UA’s offense on the other hand was putrid, giving no run support to pitcher Cody Hamlin (5-3) who kept the Wildcats in the game until the Fifth Inning. He finished giving up 9 hits for 7 runs and had to be relieved in the Sixth Inning after throwing 96 pitches.

After a complete game shutout victory for the Sun Devils, ASU’s confidence will be sky-high going into tonight’s final game in the series against the Wildcats. ASU (23-16, 12-8 conference) will be looking to once again dash their rival’s bleak hopes at the postseason. You can catch the game on ESPNU as ASU’s RHP Darin Gillies (1-3, 3.96ERA) will go up against UA’s RHP Tyger Talley (1-1, 4.38 ERA) Sunday night (4:30PM) in Tucson.