ASU Baseball: Bullpen falters, as late offense powers Seahawks past Sun Devils

(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)

After taking game one of three against the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks, the Arizona State Sun Devils dropped a huge loss in game two, as the Seahawks stormed to 15 total hits and a 9-0 victory Saturday.

Senior Eli Lingos earned his first loss off 2018, as he allowed three earned runs in seven innings, dropping his record to 2-1 on the season.

The loss is not in his hands however, as the Sun Devil bullpen struggled significantly to find their rhythm.

“It’s mindset is what I would say,” ASU Head Coach Tracy Smith said, “It’s time to grow up.”

The Devils had to use five relievers to record six outs, as the bullpen arms gave up six total runs.

Connor Higgins, Spencer Van Scoyoc, Ryan Hingst and Grant Schneider all pitched in the eighth inning, giving up a combined four runs on three hits and three walks. Colby Davis pitched the ninth inning for ASU.

The offensive attack from the Devils was distant as well. They were only able to muster five hits, with just one extra base knock coming in the form of a double off the bat of Lyle Lin, who along with Gage Canning, extended his season hit streak to 15 games, one in every game on the young year.

UNCW shined offensively, as all nine of their starters recorded a hit, with six Seahawks recording a multi-hit game.

Saturday night’s game was a battle for six innings, as the game was scoreless after five and a 1-0 game after the sixth.

“We gotta be a little tougher and get the job done,” Smith said.

The loss for ASU was their third time in the 15-game season that they have been beaten by a margin of eight runs or more.

The Devils will have a chance to win the weekend series Sunday, as the grudge match will begin at 12:30 in Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Now 8-7 on the season, they will play the Seahawks Sunday before taking on the Arizona Wildcats Tuesday night.