Senior Joey Bielek (right) celebrates with sophomore Brian Serven (left) after a two-run single by freshman Andrew Snow at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Sunday, March 15, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Beavers 7-4. (Jacob Stanek/The State Press)A stellar defensive effort and four solid innings of relief from junior Jordan Aboites guided No. 12 ASU baseball (12-6, 2-1 Pac-12) through its first Pac-12 series win with a 7-4 victory over two-time defending conference champion Oregon State (15-5, 1-2 Pac-12).
There are few things more deflating to a hitter than grounding into a double play, something that ASU did 41 times last season and 13 times through 17 games in 2015.
So when senior left fielder Jake Peevyhouse hit his way into a 4-6-3 double play that erased a four-pitch leadoff walk to junior center fielder Johnny Sewald, it was appropriate that the Sun Devils responded to tack on the game’s first run.
They did so with some help from Oregon State junior right-handed starter Travis Eckert, who issued a free pass to sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee on four straight pitches, and allowed the sophomore shortstop to reach third on a poorly-thrown pickoff attempt that sailed off into foul territory.
Junior designated hitter RJ Ybarra singled home his 12th RBI of the season to put ASU ahead 1-0 after an inning.
But the turning point came in the defensive half of the fifth inning with the game tied at two after junior lefty starter Brett Lilek found himself facing runners with first and third and no outs for the third consecutive inning.
Aboites came on in relief of Lilek after freshman Andy Snow earned the start at second base due to Aboites’ recent struggles at the plate.
After hitting freshman first baseman KJ Harrison to load the bases, Aboites displayed why head coach Smith trusts him critical spots.
Even though Smith pondered whether or not to take him out, he ultimately was convinced by the confidence emanating from Aboites.
Sophomore David Greer hits the ball back up the middle for a base hit in the bottom of the seventh inning against Oregon State at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Sunday March 15, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Beavers 7-3. (Jacob Stanek/The State Press)“Just looking in his eyes, he’s a competitive guy,” Smith said. “He’s been in those situations quite a bit, and I liked what I saw and heard out of his mouth, so I turned around and went back into the dugout and let him do his business.”
Freshman left fielder Joe Gillette hit a line drive back at the 5-foot-5 junior right-hander, who quickly rotated clockwise and scanned the infield before zeroing in on senior Joey Bielek at first base and firing a strike to double off Harrison and end the inning with the game tied.
“I actually thought it was hit a little bit harder at first, so I kind of flinched,” Aboites said. “Luckily, I was able to snag it, and I heard people yelling ‘one’ so I turned and fired to first, and Joey was there.”
In the sixth, the Beavers knocked around Aboites for three straight hits and scored two runs to take a 4-2 lead, but the Sun Devils got to freshman lefty reliever Luke Heimlich in the seventh, including two walks and two hits that came after two outs, as Woodmansee brought home his 25th hit and two more RBIs to bring his total to 13, the team leader in both categories.
Some pitchers with less experience would cower in pressure situations with the game in the balance.
Junior Brett Lilek allows two runs in four innings pitched against Oregon State at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Sunday, March 15, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Beavers 7-4. (Jacob Stanek/ The State Press)Aboites embraces them.
“It’s a good feeling knowing that (Smith) trust me in these situations,” Aboites said. “I thrive off those, I love that, being able to do good for the guys.”
Snow came to the plate for just the 11th time in his collegiate career with the bases loaded and no outs to face sophomore right-hander John Pomeroy after Heimlich hit Bielek to bring in the go-ahead run.
“Someone told me that pitch was 96 (miles per hour),” Snow said. “I was nervous, but I was set on his fast ball, I got a pitch middle-in and went right at it.”
He singled sharply to left and added his third on the year hit to increase ASU’s lead to 7-4.
“(Snow) plays his rear end off,” Smith said. “He seems to turn it up a notch in a game, even though he’ll scare me in practice. We need some production in that spot, and I think he’ll make a push at that position.”
Junior closer Ryan Burr came on in the ninth and walked the leadoff man before striking out the next two hitters he faced and retired the sophomore pinch hitter Billy King on a lineout to short to earn his seventh save.
For Aboites and company, the road will get tougher with a trip to No. 8 Oregon Friday.
But after getting a taste of conference play, the heightened team chemistry and camaraderie have helped them make an early statement – they won’t lay down against anyone.
“To come out today, and be down in the late innings and come back, I think that says a lot about our team, especially in the Pac-12.”
ASU hosts New Mexico at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Phoenix Muni.
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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