Sophomore outfielder Jake Peevyhouse takes a swing during the Sun Devils' 4-1 victory over No. 4 UCLA Friday. Peevyhouse had a catch over the left field wall that sealed ASU's first win of the series. (Photo by Dominic Valente)Less than a week removed from his no-hitter against No. 3 Oregon State, freshman Ryan Kellogg knows he has no time to take his foot off the gas.
The next challenge for the ASU baseball team and Kellogg is a home series vs. No. 7 UCLA. The Bruins (17-4, 5-1 Pac-12) are fresh off their second consecutive Pac-12 series win against California.
The Sun Devils (13-7-1, 2-4 Pac-12), on the other hand, have dropped their opening two Pac-12 series. Kellogg understands the challenge the Bruins will bring.
“They are going to come out and fight and battle, and it’s going to be a good, tough series,” he said.
Kellogg expects the atmosphere for the series to be great, especially since it’s his first start since the no-hitter.
“They are going to have a lot of energy,” he said. “Not only because of that, but because it’s against UCLA.”
The Bruins come to Tempe tied with Oregon State atop the Pac-12 standings, something Sun Devils coach Tim Esmay isn’t surprised about.
“They are playing really good defense and pitching really well, so that’s a UCLA team,” Esmay said.
The Bruins have committed only 15 errors in their 21 games this season compared to ASU's 35 in 21 games. Esmay knows his team will need to shore up its mistakes to compete.
“We have to look and think about what are the little things that are getting in our way, and that’s what we are committed to this week,” Esmay said.
Pitching-wise, the Bruins sport an overall team ERA of 2.07, and their three starters are a combined 11-3 this season.
With the series starting a day earlier than usual due to the Easter holiday, starters will have one less day to rest, something Esmay said doesn’t give either team an advantage.
“UCLA is in the same boat,” he said. “They have to have their guys go the same. We aren’t talking a regional where you have to go on three days’ rest. It’s just one less day.”
The Bruins, like the Sun Devils, struggle offensively at times. Esmay still thinks they are a good, clutch-hitting side.
“Their offense is a little bit better than they’ve had in the past, but what they like do is feed off the pitching,” Esmay said.
Pitching will most likely dominate the series, and whoever pitches better will come out with the series win.
Esmay said the series isn’t a must-win for his team. The Sun Devils do need to take advantage of being at home, though, even if the Bruins are 5-1 on the road this season.
“Every game to me is a must-win,” Esmay said. “I think we have an opportunity to play at home and hold court. The must is for us to hold court. It’s too early to say it’s a must for up in the Pac-12, but we have to rebound. We have to take advantage of being at home.”
Reach the reporter at dsshap1@asu.edu
