Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

ASU wins critical series at UCLA ahead of playoffs

A high-scoring weekend ends in ASU’s favor with the school’s sixth-straight series victory.

ASU baseball's David Greer catches a ball and forces out runner Davin Pearson during a game against California at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
ASU baseball's David Greer catches a ball and forces out runner Davin Pearson during a game against California at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, April 16, 2016.

With the NCAA Regionals less than two weeks away, the Sun Devils picked up a much-needed win at UCLA this weekend.

ASU entered the weekend at 31-18 overall and 13-11 in the Pac-12. After Sunday’s win, the Sun Devils have just one series remaining before the NCAA Regionals: a three-game home set against USC starting May 27.

Friday

The Sun Devils tabbed junior righty Seth Martinez to start against UCLA’s Griffin Canning, and Martinez’s 8 innings and three earned runs were enough to beat the Bruins.

ASU attacked Canning with a sac fly in the third, and tacked on three more runs with an RBI double and two-run home run – the long ball coming from junior catcher Brian Serven – in the fourth inning.

The wheels came off for Canning in the seventh, as the sophomore walked a batter, hit another, and gave up a three-run double to freshman outfielder Gage Canning. He was removed from the game with a runner still on base, who eventually scored.

Griffin Canning finished the night with six and a half innings pitched, allowing eight runs on eight hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.

The Sun Devils would charge four more runs to the Bruins relievers, and Gage Canning, Serven and sophomore outfielder Andrew Shaps all had three RBIs each.

ASU won 12-4.

Saturday

After the offensive explosion by ASU on Friday, the Sun Devils weren’t as productive on Saturday. They ran into junior right-hander Grant Dyer, who went the distance in a nine-strikeout, two-earned-run performance.

The Sun Devil pitching had nearly the opposite fate; sophomore lefty Eli Lingos failed to even record an out, allowing five earned runs in the first inning on four hits and a walk.

ASU Head Coach Tracy Smith was forced to use five relief pitchers to get through the rest of the game, who combined for eight more runs of their own. Luke Persico and Zander Clarke each had home runs for the Bruins in their 13-2 win.

Sunday

ASU found itself back in the win column on Sunday with another blowout victory, following the theme of the series thus far. Like Lingos the previous night, UCLA right-hander Jake Bird failed to make it out of the first inning.

Bird allowed a two-run home run to junior infielder David Greer and an RBI sac-fly to sophomore infielder Andrew Snow to make it 3-0 ASU. He was then removed from the game, and UCLA sent five relief pitchers to the hill, combining for seven more runs on six hits and a staggering ten walks.

Seven different players scored runs for ASU on Sunday, including sophomore infielder Ryan Lillard, who went 1-for-2 with a single and three walks.

ASU’s pitcher on Sunday was senior Jordan Aboites, who went seven innings and allowed three runs.

Junior Eder Erives finished the game in relief of Aboites with two innings, allowing a run.

ASU has now won its sixth straight series.


Reach the reporter at matt.layman@asu.edu or follow @Mattjlayman on Twitter.

Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter.


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.