After pitching six innings and surrendering just one run last weekend at the University of Southern California, Alex Blackford looked to be head coach Tim Esmay’s third starter moving forward.
Sunday, however, Blackford gave up six earned runs and retired just seven batters as Arizona State (24-12-1) fell to Valparaiso (15-23) and failed to complete the sweep for the third straight series at Packard Stadium, losing 8-6.
Blackford’s quick departure forced Esmay to turn to his bullpen, which allowed just two earned runs in six and two-third innings.
By the time the bullpen took over, however, the damage was done.
Despite the Sun Devils getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run from third baseman Michael Benjamin, Valparaiso responded in the next frame with two of their own to tie the game.
The Crusaders added to their lead in the third frame, compiling five additional runs on five hits and a hit by pitch.
Sophomore right-hander Mark Lambson failed to stop the bleeding and the Crusaders took a 7-2 lead that would prove impossible to overcome.
Arizona State committed one error and hit five batsmen in the losing campaign. Sophomore right-hander Darin Gillies also threw a wild pitch in the seventh, giving Valparaiso another insurance run.
Benjamin continued to hit well against the Crusaders, going 3 for 5 with two RBI. The junior finished the weekend 8 for 11 with six RBI.
In the seventh, designated hitter RJ Ybarra hit his second home run in as many days, and the second of his career, helping to close the gap in a futile comeback attempt. The freshman drove in seven runs this weekend on 7 for 10 hitting, highlighted by Saturday’s grand slam.
Billy Young, Darin Gillies and Matt Dunbar combined to close out the game, eating up six innings and allowing for the offense to attempt a comeback.
Valparaiso starter Dalton Lundeen completed six and two-third innings of work and kept his squad in the ball game. Despite giving up six earned runs, the right-handed freshman improved to 2-0 on the year.
Crusaders Ben Mahar and Karch Kowalczyk combined to finish the final two and a third innings scoreless, with Kowalczyk earning the save.
The Sun Devils fall to 3-6-1 on Sundays after the loss and have won just one Sunday home game in 2013.
Arizona State looks to rebound Wednesday when they host UNLV at 6:30 p.m. before traveling to Salt Lake City Friday to resume conference play in a three-game series against the Utah Utes.
