A stellar season has reached an abrupt and disappointing end for the Sun Devils. ASU goes 0-2 in the College World Series for the first time since 1994, finishing the season with a 52-10 in record.
ASU also became the first No. 1 national seed to go 0-2 since the NCAA began the current tournament format.
Check back soon for reaction.
Bottom of the 8th: USC scores its first run since the third on a leadoff homer by Merrifield. Unless ASU can score seven runs in the ninth, it's lights out for the Sun Devils at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Top of the 8th: ASU sends eight runners to the plate and scores two runs on a pair of RBI singles by Marrero and pinch-hitter Matt Newman. But with the bases loaded and one out, USC reliever Matt Price struck out Barnes and Maggi to end the threat, a blow that has also likely ended ASU's stay in Omaha.
Bottom of the 7th: Jordan Swagerty replaces Lambson and retires the USC hitters in order. ASU pitching has been stellar outside of the second and third innings, but that damage looks to be too much to overcome. The Sun Devils have just six outs left to save their season.
Top of the 7th: A play in this frame summarized the way ASU's CWS experience has gone. With Austin Barnes standing on first, Drew Maggi hit a light pop up in the infield that appeared it would be caught by USC first baseman Walker. Barnes had to stay close to the bag in case it was caught so it wouldn't be forced out at first. The ball, though, fell in front of Walker and was able to toss to second to out Barnes. ASU hasn't played good baseball this week, but it also can't seem to find a break anywhere. There was a slight delay because umpires had to be changed. The home plate umpire had to leave with dehydration.
Bottom of the 6th: After a shaky first inning, Lambson has settled into his usual dominant self, retiring nine of the last 10 batter's he has faced. ASU seems to be finding a way to put together hits, but if the Sun Devils hope to keep their season alive, they must find ways to translate those hits into runs in a hurry. Only nine outs left until the lights go out on the season if ASU can't rally.
Top of the 6th: ASU continues to miss opportunities. After Riccio Torrez was hit by a pitch for the 25th time this season (Ouch!), and Ruettiger reached on a bunt single, Marerro grounded into ASU's fourth double play of the CWS. Aplin then grounded out on the first pitch he saw to end the inning.
Bottom of the 5th: Lambson appears to have found a bit of a groove. He works his way around a leadoff single to retire three straight. ASU has the middle of the order coming up with only 12 outs left to score at least eight runs and save its season.
Top of the 5th: ASU finally gets something cooking with a pair of run-scoring singles. Barnes brought in a run on a base hit to left that scored Marrero, who led off the frame with a double to left. Maggi then singled in Barnes, who also singled, to cut the score to 10-2. With a pair of runners on and a chance to cut into the lead further, Calhoun flew out to right field. The Sun Devils finally strung some hits together, but there is still a steep climb ahead.
Bottom of the 4th: Lambson recovers from a rough third by retiring the Gamecocks in order on a strikeout and a pair of ground outs. ASU can't think of chasing 10 runs right now. Someone has to spark this club with a big play to get things moving in the right direction.
Top of the 4th: Calhoun picks up ASU's second hit of the game on a single to the right side, but the Sun Devils can't get him past first base. MacPhee and Ruettiger lined out on hard hit balls to the outfield, but right at USC players, a sign, perhaps, that it just isn't meant to be for ASU. The Gamecocks come to the plate in their half of the fourth leading 10-0.
Bottom of the 3rd: Now even ASU's most consistent pitcher can't get it done. Lambson walked a pair, hit a pair and gave up a leadoff double that led to two more runs for the Gamecocks, who now lead 10-0. It is absolutely shocking to any who have seen this team play in 2010, to see the Sun Devils playing like this in an elimination game at the CWS.
Top of the 3rd: Three weak ground outs is all the Sun Devils manage in response to the mammoth inning by the Gamecocks. If ASU is to have any chance of making a come back, it is going to have to keep the hot-hitting USC team off the board the rest of the way. I have followed this team all season long, and I am truly shocked about the way the squad has started this game. Baseball is a funny game, and there is still a lot of game left to be played, but the Sun Devils will need a complete 180 to have a chance.
Bottom of the 2nd: The Sun Devils have dug themselves a monumental hole early in this elimination game. Haney delivered a two-run double down the left-field line to drive in the game's first two runs, and after Merrifield brought another run in with a bloop single, Bradley Jr. smashed a three-run homer to left to put his team up 6-0. Kelly then gave up another home run, this one a two-run shot of the left-field foul pole by Morales to end Kelly's day after the starter yielded eight runs. Sophomore reliever Mitchell Lambson, who threw almost 30 pitches yesterday, replaced Kelly and recorded the final out. Needless to say, this is a nightmare start for ASU.
Top of the 2nd: ASU appeared to have something working when Riccio Torrez was hit by a pinch and Deven Marrero followed two batters later with a seeing-eye single to center to put two aboard with one out. But Aplin grounded sharply to second baseman Wingo, who easily turned the double play to end the frame.
Bottom of the 1st: Kelly works his way around two singles, including a bunt hit, to get out of the inning with no damage. ASU needs to pick up the pace at the plate, though, if it wants to put the pressure in the other dugout.
Top of the 1st: The top of the order is now 1-for-14 at the CWS, as Maggi, MacPhee and Calhoun go down in order. Now it's time to see how Kelly starts out in the biggest start of his career. If he is able to locate his fastball on hitters, he usually has success.
3:33 p.m. — The national anthem has been sung, the players are taking the field and ASU's biggest game of the season is about to begin. We'll have updates at the end of each half inning.
3:07 p.m. — There are several keys for ASU if it hopes to keep its CWS run alive today.
Help on the hill: The Sun Devils need a strong start out of Merrill Kelly. Seth Blair was only able to pitch 4-plus innings yesterday, pressing the bullpen into heavy action. An optimal outing for Kelly would be seven innings, which would mean that ASU could use Jake Barrett and Jordan Swagerty — the only relievers not used yesterday — out of the bullpen to close the eighth and ninth. ASU has a long climb if it wants to reach the championship series, and it will need to preserve arms at every turn.
On top: The first three hitters in the order yesterday — Maggi, MacPhee and Calhoun — were a combined 1-for-11. Getting baserunners on for the middle of the order will be crucial for ASU to put more pressure on a South Carolina pitcher he is has been known to get rattled this season if he is hit early in his outing.
Keep the streak alive: ASU hasn't lost back-to-back seasons all game long, and continuing their quest for a national championship means keeping that trend going. The Sun Devils have shown great resiliency in tough spots this year. Can they do the same in the biggest game of the season?
3:00 p.m. — Here are the starting lineups:
ASU (visitor): 1. Drew Maggi, SS 2. Zack MacPhee, 2B 3. Kole Calhoun, RF 4. Riccio Torrez, 1B 5. Johnny Ruettiger, LF 6. Deven Marrero, DH 7. Andrew Aplin, CF 8. Raoul Torrez, 3B 9. Austin Barnes, C ... Starting on the mound for the Sun Devils is junior Merrill Kelly (10-2, 3.57 ERA)
South Carolina (home): 1. Evan Marzilli, LF 2. Whit Merrifield, RF 3. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF 4. Christian Walker, 1B 5. Brady Thomas, DH. 6. Adrian Morales, 3B 7. Kyle Enders, C 8. Bobby Haney, SS 9. Scott Wingo, 2B ... Pitching for the Gamecocks is right-hander Sam Dyson (5-5, 4.35 ERA).
2:51 p.m. — It's pretty simple the ASU baseball team today. Win, and you advance. Lose, and a great season comes to an abrupt end. The Sun Devils are just finishing up batting practice with first pitch of their elimination game against South Carolina scheduled for 3:36 p.m. (1:36 p.m. Arizona time) on ESPN2. It's 88 degrees here in Omaha, but with the thick humidity it feels much warmer than that.
