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 Riccio Torrez |
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March 12, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. - Rallying back from a five-run deficit, the No. 2 Arizona State University baseball team defeated Auburn 9-8 on Friday night in front of 3,121 fans at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. The Sun Devils improved to 13-0 on the season with the win, giving head coach Tim Esmay the school record for the most consecutive wins to start an ASU coaching career. Jim Brock began his career with the Devils 12-0 in 1972.
ASU took the early lead with two runs in the second on an RBI double by Deven Marrero and a sacrifice fly by Drew Maggi. However, Auburn tied the game in the fourth with a two-run homer by Casey McElroy, and then the Tigers took the lead with five unearned runs in the top of the fifth.
Down 7-2 heading to the bottom of the fifth, the Sun Devils wasted no time in responding. Riccio Torrez singled in a run, Matt Newman followed with an RBI double and Zach Wilson then made it three straight run-scoring hits with a two-run single. Later in the inning, Marrero tied the game with an RBI double to right center, and two batters later, Raoul Torrez drew a bases loaded walk to put ASU back on top.
Auburn tied the game again in the top of the eighth with a solo home run by pinch hitter Kevin Patterson, but once again the Sun Devils rallied in the bottom half of the inning, getting the first two men on base and scoring the winning run on a Riccio Torrez groundout.
Jordan Swagerty closed out the game, earning his fourth save by striking out the side in order in the ninth. Jake Barrett got the win out of the bullpen, his first career decision at ASU. Seth Blair started and got a no decision, going five innings and allowing seven runs, only two earned, with four strikeouts, and Mitchell Lambson pitched two shutout innings of relief.
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Maggi, Wilson and Marrero all had two hits each, with Wilson, Marrero and Riccio Torrez driving in two runs each.
The Sun Devils continue their three-game series with Auburn on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.
