(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
The Devils turned around on Saturday night with aspirations of taking their second game from the Trojans in as many days. But it was the USC offense on display at Phoenix Municipal in the contest as ASU dropped the game 10-1.
USC put up three runs in the second inning on an RBI single from shortstop Ben Ramirez and a two-run double to right off the bat of second baseman Chase Bushor.
They followed that up in the fourth with an additional trio of Trojans crossing home via doubles from catcher Blake Sabol and left fielder Lars Nootbaar and a ground out from third baseman Brandon Perez.
In the fifth, Ramirez took center stage again with a three-run blast to blow it wide open. USC would add another in the seventh on an error by Drew Swift.
The Maroon and Gold couldn’t muster much at the plate on Saturday, stringing together just five hits for the ballgame, with just two coming in the first six innings. USC starter Solomon Bates threw a gem in his 7.2 innings, allowing just one run to the Arizona State offense.
Eli Lingos got the nod for ASU but lasted just 4.1 innings, giving up eight runs, three of them earned, on ten hits while striking out three. He didn’t receive much support behind him either, with the defense committing two errors and a handful of other defensive miscues.
He was relieved by Ryan Hingst and Spencer Van Scoyoc for the remaining 5.2 frames.
Player of the Game: Solomon Bates. The junior right-hander tossed 7.2 dominant innings complemented by nine strikeouts and two walks. He allowed one extra base hit and at one point retired 13 of 14 hitters.
Unsung Hero: Spencer Van Scoyoc. The southpaw hadn’t stepped on a mound since March 17 against Oregon, but came in to hurl three shutout innings of relief, allowing just two hits. The sophomore’s role has been diminished since winning the Friday job in the winter, but it’s the first sign of brightness he has shown in some time, marking the first time this season he didn’t give up a run or a walk.
You knew it was over when: Ben Ramirez took Ryan Hingst deep in the fifth to make it 9-0. For everything that was already going downhill for the Sun Devils, this put the icing on the cake.
Biggest Concern: ASU had four errors to their name in the final box score, but there were plenty more defensive mistakes. Gage Workman dropped a pop-up in foul territory and Spencer Torkelson had two balls bounce off his glove that did not go down as errors. The Devils blew the lead Tuesday against Cal State Fullerton due to similar issues, and it continued into the weekend.
Stat of the Day: The 14 surrendered hits by the ASU pitching staff marks the most hits by an opposing team in Pac-12 play this season. It is also the second-highest margin of victory by an opposing conference team this season, next to the 12-1 defeat at UCLA.
What’s Next?: ASU sets to play the series finale in a Sunday matinee with the Trojans looking to complete its second conference series win of 2018. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
