Devils in Detail
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ASU Baseball: Sun Devils Eliminated in Regional Final

By Zach Pekale

Mar 3, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils pitcher Eli Lingos against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils pitcher Eli Lingos against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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In their first regional final appearance since 2013, ASU Baseball was unable to stave off elimination in a 8-1 loss to TCU.

The Horned Frogs, paced by starting pitcher Brian Howard and consistent hitting, advance to their third straight Super Regional following the victory.

Offensively, second baseman Cam Warner led the way with three RBIs including a two-run home run that cleared the left field wall with ease.

ASU starter Eder Erives was unable to get into a groove early as TCU peppered the Sun Devils’ closer with three early runs in the second inning.

Erives threw seven innings, scattering seven hits alongside six walks and four earned runs. Additionally, Erives struck out three Horned Frogs.

For much of the season, defense had been a strength of the Sun Devils. Against TCU, hard grounders and sharp liners were just not falling their way as innings were prolonged by defensive miscues.

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The lone run of the night for the Sun Devils came from an RBI single by first baseman David Greer.

Howard dominated the game allowing only four hits and one earned run while striking out nine in an eight-inning gem. He possessed excellent control of his breaking ball, placing the ball in spots that forced ASU to chase all game.

A lack of starting pitchers hurt the Sun Devils against the No. 9 team in the country.

The Sun Devils had to use both junior Seth Martinez and sophomore Eli Lingos in their opener against Gonzaga. While they were bailed out by senior Jordan Aboites and freshman Zach Dixon in their respective outings against Oral Roberts and Gonzaga, the rotation was depleted and forced Erives out of his natural role of closer.

TCU next plays in the College Station Super Regional as they wait for a winner between Texas A&M and Minnesota.