Photo: (Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Sun Devils played their first out of two games against Cal State Fullerton Tuesday night and gave away a two run lead in the ninth inning, losing the game 7-6
Freshman Spencer Torkelson started the scoring for ASU with a solo home run in the first inning, his 14th homer of the year.
Cal State Fullerton tied the game the second inning as a result of two costly errors by Drew Swift. Swift mishandled a ground ball that allowed Titans’ shortstop Sahid Valenzuela to reach base, then another throwing error by Swift allowed him to score from second.
Swift was able to make up for his two errors in the bottom half of the inning, hitting a single down the middle to score sophomore Hunter Bishop and freshman Alika Williams.
The Titans cut the lead to one in the fourth inning as Valenzuela scored again on a double from Jairus Richards.
Gage Canning extended the lead back to two in the fifth inning, hitting his NCAA leading ninth triple of the season and scoring off a wild pitch by Cal State Fullerton pitcher Tanner Bibee.
Canning is now four triples shy of being the all time leader in triples for ASU.
ASU’s pitching was impressive through eight, allowing only one earned run and striking out nine, but fell short along with the defense in the 9th as they gave up a 4-2 lead.
After recording a fly out, pitcher Chaz Montoya allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases. The next batter, junior outfielder Mitchell Berryhill, reached base on a fielder’s choice and scored one run, then another run scored on a throwing error by Spencer Torkelson to tie the game 4-4.
Three more unearned runs came in through another throwing error by Torkelson and a wild pitch by Connor Higgins made the lead 7-4 for the Titans.
ASU fought until the very last out but fell short in the ninth inning losing 7-6.
Player of the game: Sahid Valenzuela got two hits and scored both times he was on base which was critical for the Sun Devils win.
Unsung Hero: Titans reliever Brett Conine was able to keep his composure in the last inning to finish the Sun Devils, even after allowing two earned runs to cut the lead to one.
You knew it was over when: The errors started piling up for the Sun Devils in the ninth inning.
Biggest Concern: Errors by the Sun Devils resulted in four of the Titans’ seven runs.
Stat of the Day: Gage Canning hit his ninth triple of the season, which leads the nation and gives him 23 for his career. The ASU record for career triple is held by Alan Bannister and Ed Irvine with 26.
What’s next: The Sun Devils will play their last game against Cal State Fullerton Wednesday night before starting their conference series against USC Friday night.
