If Friday’s game dispelled recent stereotypes of both ASU and Washington’s baseball programs, then Saturday’s affirmed that the two starting pitchers dueling in Seattle were in fact each team’s best.
The No. 4 Sun Devils (24-11, 12-5 Pac-12) benefitted from a lucky break and dominant pitching down the stretch to win 4-3 and even the series.
Junior left-hander Ryan Kellogg (7-1) powered his way through eight innings, allowing just three runs (two earned) on eight hits on two walks and struck out six.
With a 4-3 lead in the seventh, Kellogg imposed his will after falling behind 3-0 to pinch-hitter Austin Rei, fighting back into a 3-2 count and getting the junior designated hitter to strikeout looking.
Opposite him, the Huskies (21-15, 7-10 Pac-12) couldn’t match the effort at the plate of senior right-hander Tyler Davis on the mound, who entered the night with a 2.12 ERA, did his very best to limit the production of one top hitting teams in the Pac-12.
The Huskies hit just 1-for-9 with two outs, and stranded eight runners.
Davis (5-4) tossed a complete game and struck out a career-high 11 Sun Devils, but allowed three earned runs.
The fourth was unearned, courtesy of an error by Washington sophomore left fielder Jack Meggs on a ball off the bat of senior right fielder Trever Allen, who reached third base and was driven home by freshman second baseman Andrew Snow, his second hit and RBI of the night to pull ahead with the game tied at three.
Sophomore shortstop Colby Woodmansee homered in the third inning after doubling in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead, vaulting him into a three-way tie four the team lead in home runs (four) with sophomore catcher Brian Serven and junior designated hitter RJ Ybarra.
Snow’s RBI triple in the fifth and junior center fielder Johnny Sewald’s double snapped a 1-1 tie, as the Sun Devils went ahead 3-1.
Sewald struck out looking twice, and was ejected in the eighth after arguing a check-swing call.
Freshman Andrew Shaps was inserted in center defensively, and it is likely that he’ll start there tomorrow while Sewald sits out Sunday’s rubber match.
Junior closer Ryan Burr allowed a single to senior right fielder Will Sparks, and proceeded to strike out the side and mow down the bottom of the Husky order.
In the rubber match, junior left-hander Brett Lilek (2-2, 3.83 ERA) will start Sunday at 12:30 p.m., against a to-be-determined Washington starter.
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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