In the second game of a three-game series with the Loyola Marymount Lions (5-6), the Arizona State Sun Devils (6-4) fell to the Lions by a score of 3-2 as the result of a two-out rally by LMU in the 9th inning.
Starting pitcher Spencer Van Scoyoc pitched the first five innings for ASU, allowing just one run while striking out four LMU batters.
The scoring started early for the Sun Devils, as Lyle Lin singled home Andrew Snow in the first inning to give the ASU a 1-0 lead. LMU countered in the fifth inning, when Billy Wilson doubled to score Jimmy Hill. However, ASU regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning to put the score at 2-1.
Reagan Todd took over on the mound in the eighth inning, pitching into the ninth, where he allowed the game-tying and go-ahead run to eventually take the loss.
Cody Paiva picked up the win after pitching 3 2/3 innings of relief, including a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.
Player of the Game: Cody Paiva. The LMU righty threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed only one hit to pick up the win. He pitched well in relief and kept the Lions in the game in the late innings, giving them the opportunity to take the lead in the 9th.
Unsung Hero: Nick Sogard. LMU’s shortstop had a three-hit contest, his third hit of the night was the single that gave his team the lead in the 9th.
You knew it was over when: Cody Paiva got the final out of the game. It was close start to finish and LMU started their ninth inning rally that led to the win with two outs
Biggest Concern: This was the third game of the season that was lost at the hands of the bullpen. The bullpen cannot continue down this path if the Sun Devils want to be successful this year.
Stat of the Day: (18) The number of hits Lyle Lin has this season. Lyle is hitting .429 this year through 42 at-bats. He has three doubles and nine runs batted in. No ASU hitter has more hits or runs batted in this year. This was his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
What’s Next?: Tomorrow afternoon, the Sun Devils host the Lions for the rubber match of the three-game series. Jake Godfrey will be on the mound for ASU and first pitch is at 12:30.
Nick Badders is a baseball beat writer for the Walter Cronkite Sports Network. You can follow him on Twitter @BadderUpSports.
