Freshman Ryan Hingst throws for five innings in win against University of Nevada Las Vegas at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on March 11, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Rebels 5-4. (Jacob Stanek/The State Press)Freshman right-hander Ryan Hingst earned a victory in his first career start Wednesday night against UNLV, as the Sun Devils (10-5) hung on to top the Runnin' Rebels (7-8) 5-3.
Hingst threw five innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits, walking two and striking out two on 59 pitches.
Head coach Tracy Smith was pleased with the freshman in his debut, but noted there was ample room to build upon and improve.
"I thought he was up in the strike zone all night," Smith said. "He had the velocity early, and they weren't catching up with it, but they were still putting the barrel on it. He's going to have to do a better job with his second pitch to be consistent at this level."
A walked allowed in the fourth started a UNLV rally that turned into two runs and a 3-1 ASU lead.
But like they have twice already this season (and once against Oklahoma State on a Friday) the Sun Devils earned a comeback win in a midweek game after trailing going into the fifth inning.
Senior left fielder Jake Peevyhouse hit a triple to right center and tagged to score on a sacrifice fly from sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee in the bottom of the first.
The Sun Devils loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with one out, but Glendale native and Mountain Ridge High School product, freshman Blaze Bohall, induced a fielder's choice at home and a pop-up by junior center fielder Johnny Sewald at second to escape with no damage.
Junior Johnny Sewald safely dives back to first base to avoid the pickoff attempt by University of Nevada Las Vegas at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on March 11, 2015. The Sun Devils defeated the Rebels 5-4. (Jacob Stanek/The State Press)Bohall orchestrated a 1-2-3 third and managed to hold ASU scoreless in the fourth.
Then in the fifth, the floodgates opened – this time all after two outs.
Sewald was hit by a pitch, and walks to Peevyhouse and junior first baseman RJ Ybarra loaded the bases for redshirt senior right fielder Trever Allen, who hit an RBI single to right center tie the game at 3.
"Right now, he's steady," Smith said. "He's a weapon in the outfield too. It's nice to have some older guys who have been through the action. They have more experience in the Pac-12 at this point than I do."
Sophomore catcher Zach Cerbo followed with an RBI single of his own to left to punctuate a four-run inning, as ASU bounced back to take a 5-3 lead after trailing 3-1 in the fourth.
Freshman lefty Eli Lingos and senior Darrin Gillies combined to allow just one run in three innings, setting up junior closer Ryan Burr.
Burr walked the leadoff man in the ninth, but retired the next three UNLV hitters in order, recording his sixth save of the season and 30th of his career.
Heading into Pac-12 play, Smith said that team will need to bring the same consistency and effort.
"We're going to savor every win," Smith said. "We're not where we need to be, but we're going to keep plugging and get better at the little things. If you don't bring your best every single night in this league, you're headed for disappointment."
The Sun Devils open conference play when they host defending Pac-12 champion Oregon State at Phoenix Muni at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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