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The "Kellogg Show" shines in ASU's win over Washington State

ASU dominates the Cougars behind their star left-hander

Baseball Ryan Kellogg Washington State
Junior pitcher Ryan Kellogg delivers in the ninth inning against Washington State on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix. Kellogg pitched a complete game shutout in the Sun Devils' 5-0 win over the Cougars.

ASU junior left hander Ryan Kellogg lived up to his nickname of the "Kellogg Show" Thursday, night, putting on a show in throwing a complete-game shutout.

Kellogg struck out a season-high 11 batters Thursday as the No. 12 Sun Devils (31-18, 16-9 Pac-12) beat the Washington State Cougars (27-24, 9-16 Pac-12) 5-0 at Phoenix Muni.

Less than a week after throwing nine innings in Saturday's 17-inning marathon game against UCLA, Kellogg was stellar again on the mound in his new role as No. 1 starter.

ASU head coach Tracy Smith had no qualms about running Kellogg back on the mound on four days rest.

"I think we've created this beast in college baseball where guys throw once a week...it's probably not unusual that (Kellogg)'s sharp the more he's on the mound,"  Smith said.

Kellogg threw his fourth career complete game, going the distance in giving up just five hits and walking none and striking out 11 in an efficient 100 pitches.

After losing sophomore right-hander Eder Erives to injury Tuesday, ASU was in need to a big performance to shore up the bullpen.

"We're going to go with what we feel is our best option, and our best option right now is Ryan Kellogg at 80 percent versus some of the (bullpen) at 100 percent," Smith said. "Nothing against them. This guy is competitive, he's experienced. All of the stuff you want."

Kellogg said he knew he was on after the first inning, where he struck out the side in order.

"I think after the first inning where I struck out three (I knew I was going to have a good night), and I'm not a guy who strikes a lot of guys out," Kellogg said.

The key for Kellogg was keeping the ball down in the zone and locating.

"If you locate two pitches in the zone, you'll win and you'll win a lot in college," Smith said. "If you do that down in the zone, you're going to get a lot of strikeouts in college."

Kellogg, who has held batters scoreless in 17 of 18 innings in his last two outings, has focused on keeping the ball low early and often.

"Keeping the ball down has definitely been a big thing," Kellogg said. "The slider's been better, changeup's been a little more consistent as of late, so to throw two to three pitches for strikes and keeping it down in the zone has definitely been helpful."

ASU got on the board in the bottom of the second inning, as sophomore third baseman David Greer and senior first baseman Joey Bielek picked up back-to-back hits to set up a two-RBI single down the third base line from redshirt senior outfielder Trever Allen to put the Sun Devils up 2-0.

The Sun Devils added an insurance run in the seventh, as Greer led off the inning with a double over Washington State freshman center fielder Derek Chapman's head. After advancing to third on a sacrifice fly, Greer wound up scoring on junior designated hitter RJ Ybarra's two-out RBI double to make it 3-0. 

ASU looked to put away the game with a two-RBI double from sophomore catcher Brian Serven, driving home freshman outfielder Coltin Gerhart and sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee to make it a 5-0 game.

Kellogg's performance overshadowed a solid outing from the Cougars' senior right-hander Sean Hartnett. Hartnett threw seven innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out three and walking two on 95 pitches.

Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.

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