(Photo: Rob Werner/WCSN)
In the series-decider on Sunday afternoon, the Arizona State Sun Devils (12-14, 2-7 Pac-12) couldn’t hang in the game early against the UCLA Bruins (13-12, 6-3 Pac-12) as the Bruins offense took over as they won 17-4.
The first-inning woes continued for the Sun Devils. UCLA scored five runs off Reagan Todd in the first inning, which started when Daniel Amaral, who led the game off with a single, and came into score on a Sean Bouchard double.
Todd couldn’t adjust to a stiff strike-zone from home-plate umpire Billy Haze and walked two Bruins, one to walk the bases full and another to walk in a run.
With a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the second, Andrew Shaps hit a long home run over the Coca-Cola sign in right-center field. For a moment, it looked like maybe the Sun Devils’ offense could work toward a comeback, but UCLA starting pitcher Jon Olsen quickly shut down that idea.
Olsen gave up two hits in the first inning but after that, he retired 14 consecutive Sun Devils.
The relief pitchers couldn’t keep UCLA’s offense in check as the Bruins put up three runs in the top of fourth followed by five in the fifth.
Senior Zach Cerbo did hit an opposite-field home run in the bottom of the sixth inning but that was about all the ASU offense could get a hold of on Sunday afternoon.
Player of the Game: Jon Olsen. The right-hander for UCLA shut down the Sun Devils going six and two thirds innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out four Sun Devils.
Unsung Hero: Sean Bouchard. The first-baseman for the Bruins helped the team get things started early as he had three hits, including two doubles in the first four innings of the game.
You Knew It Over When: Jeremy Ydens hit a two-run bomb over Hunter Bishop in left field in the fourth inning. The home run made it 8-1 for the Bruins and they never looked back.
Stat of The Day: Reagan Todd threw just four first-pitch strikes to the 12 Bruins he faced. His inability to get ahead of the UCLA batters made an impact as early as he walked two Bruins in the first inning and gave up six total runs in just one and one third innings.
What’s Next?: The Sun Devils will head south for a midweek matchup against in-state rival Arizona. The game will be the first baseball game of the Territorial Cup.
