March 25, 2011

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - By Kris Knief Arizona State dropped the first game of a three-game series against the Arizona Wildcats on Friday night, falling 5-2 at Packard Stadium. The Wildcats clawed back from a 2-0 deficit making the Devils fall to 16-6 on the year in front of a sell out crowd in Tempe.

The Sun Devils struck first in the second inning on a Joey DeMichele triple down the right field line that scored Johnny Ruettiger putting the Devils up 1-0 early. The Devils would strike again in the fourth on a Matt Newman home run to right center, but the Devils would fail to score after that.

The Wildcats would score in the top of the sixth on a Kramer Champlin wild pitch to cut into the Sun Devil lead. Arizona moved two more runs across in the seventh on a Joey Rickard double and an error by Joseph Lopez to take the lead 3-2. The Wildcats would add runs in the eight and ninth to put the game out of reach for the Sun Devils.

Arizona State starter Kramer Champlin went six innings giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out six, but took the loss to go 3-1 on the year. Johnny Ruettiger and Andrew Aplin had a hit a piece. Andy Workman also added a hit for the Sun Devils.

The Devils and Wildcats will play Game 2 of the series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.