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Aboites' strong start leads ASU baseball win over No. 23 Cal State Fullerton

The Sun Devils earned an impressive midweek win in their first game against a ranked opponent in 2016.

ASU v ACU Aboites
Junior Jordan Aboites records eleven strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched in win against Abilene Christian at Phoenix Municipal Stadium Tuesday May 19, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 4-1. (Jacob Stanek/The State Press)

FULLERTON, Calif. — After missing the last four games due to a suspension forviolating team standards, senior Jordan Aboites — who has started at third base in 2016 — turned in a strong start in his first appearance on the mound this season. 

He gave up just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts in five innings of work en route to a 5-3 ASU (9-3) win over No. 23 Cal State Fullerton at Goodwin Field on Tuesday night. Ironically, Aboites' last start came at Goodwin Field in the elimination game of last year's Fullerton Regional, which ASU lost 7-4 to Pepperdine. 

ASU head coach Tracy Smith said it was great to see Aboites (1-0) shine after his suspension, and liked the way he carried himself throughout the entire process. 

"We all mistakes," he said. "It's how you respond and how you bounce back from those mistakes that determine who you really are because none of us are perfect. ... In life, you screw up, you deal with it, and you can choose to keep jabbing, or you can move on for it and grow."

Aboites also worked through some adversity during his 87-pitch outing. In a bases-loaded jam, he fell behind Cal State Fullerton catcher Chris Hudgins 3-0, but fought back to strike him out and end the inning, preserving a 3-1 lead at the time. 

He also stranded runners on the corners an inning later.

"I think that's a veteran guy stepping up and acting like a veteran," Smith said. 

The strong outing also opens the door for Aboites to receive more opportunities on the mound. 

"It's very simple," Smith said. "You perform and you do your job, you get more opportunities, and I thought he showed something tonight."

He also said Aboites' performance was big considering the team's rotation is a bit thin right now. 

With the senior working through the Cal State Fullerton (6-5) lineup, ASU's offense provided the necessary run support. 

The Sun Devils tagged freshman Brett Conine (1-2) for four runs in his 4 2/3 innings pitched. He did have six strikeouts, though. 

Facing an 0-2 count, designated hitter Sebastian Zawada hit an RBI single to bring home the game's first run in the second inning. He finished 1-for-4 two days after a two-homer performance against Eastern Michigan. 

"He's confident," Smith said of Zawada. "When you're confident, you mix that with some talent and you've got a shot...I like the way he's standing in there." 

In the third, junior first baseman David Greer hit an RBI double to right field. Shortstop Colby Woodmansee followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Sun Devils a 3-1 lead. 

Greer singled in the fifth and the ball got past Cal State Fullerton left fielder Josh Vargas, allowing Andrew Shaps to run from first to home on the error. 

Greer and Shaps both finished 2-for-5. Junior catcher Brian Serven, who was named to the Johnny Bench Award watch list Tuesday for the nation's best catcher, added a 2-for-3 performance. 

Sophomore Ryan Hingst pitched three scoreless innings after Aboites exited the game, strengthening his case for a larger role moving forward. 

Smith said Hingst has been commanding both sides of the plate with his fastball. 

"That was big for him to get the hold (tonight)," he said. "He's getting better and better each time out."

Holding a 5-2 lead, Eder Erives took over on the mound. His last pitch at Goodwin Field before that was ball four to walk in the winning run in the 14-inning loss last May. On Tuesday, he gave up a run, but stood firm and earned his third save of the season. 

Cal State Fullerton designated hitter Dalton Blaser went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

ASU will look for the series sweep on Wednesday evening, but the starter is to be announced. 

"We're just circling the wagons and trying to figure out a way to win some games while some of the guys are out," Smith said. "You can't win two on the road if you don't win the first one. We'll celebrate for a little bit, but once we get back to that hotel, it's time to focus on the next one."


Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or on Twitter @justintoscano3.

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