PHOENIX—San Diego could not overcome an 8-run fifth inning by Arizona State, in a 12-2 loss on Wednesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The Sun Devils (4-0) scored eight runs in the fifth inning to build a comfortable lead and force the Toreros (4-1) to play catchup for the majority of the contest.
Arizona State score one run in both the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead before a breakout fifth inning. The Sun Devils brought 11 batters to the plate and recorded eight runs on eight hits, including a three-run home run. ASU scored two more runs in the sixth to take a comfortable 12-0 lead.
The Toreros stranded eight base runners before USD was finally able to put runs on the board in the top of the seventh.
Ripken Reyes and
Tora Otsuka hit back-to-back base hits and
Cody Jefferis hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Reyes. Later in the inning
Adam Hussain scored on a muffed throw by the ASU pitcher, but the Toreros were unable to score again.
Freshman RHP
Noah Owen got the start for the Toreros, pitching 1.0 inning, finishing with no runs, no hits, two walks and a strikeout. USD used six pitchers in relief of Owen, including
Jack Dolak,
Nicola Mislinski,
Cade Brown,
Grady Miller,
Nigel Ward and
Jake Reed.
The USD bullpen gave up 12 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits, including one home run and combined for five walks and six strikeouts. The Toreros finished with eight hits and one error, leaving 11 men on base.
The Toreros return home to host the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament at Fowler Park. USD will take on Oklahoma on Friday at 6 p.m. PT, Missouri State on Saturday at 6 p.m. PT and Utah on Sunday at 2 p.m. PT. Other teams competing in neutral games include Fresno State, Kansas State and Cal State Fullerton.
