March 21, 2012

TEMPE, Ariz. - Andrew Aplin delivered a three-run homer on his 21st birthday and a host of pitchers combined to retire 21 straight batters as the 14th-ranked Arizona State baseball team defeated UNLV, 4-2, on Wednesday night in front of 2,115 fans at Packard Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

Aplin's three RBI proved to be the go-ahead runs for ASU as the Sun Devils (13-7) used a four-run, four-hit second inning to take the lead for good, 4-2.

Right-hander Zak Miller (1-0) earned the win in his start at ASU after giving up three hits and a pair of runs in the opening two innings, and a single to lead off the third. He shut down the next six batters he faced before right-handers Alex Blackford, Robert Ravago and Joseph Lopez worked to pitch four consecutive perfect innings.

Right-hander Jake Barrett (2) punctuated the ninth with strikeout to close out the game.

Ravago came in to pitch the fifth inning and quickly retired all six batters he faced, Blackford took care of the seventh and Lopez struck out two in the eighth.

Maggi secured an RBI single and advanced to second after his base hit up the middle in the second frame was mishandled by UNLV's center fielder, allowing Coffman to score from first.

The Rebels (10-11) struck first with a solo home run in the opening frame by Mark Shannon. Miller, however, induced a flyout and a lineout in the next two at-bats to get out of the inning.

UNLV tacked on another run in the top of the second inning on an RBI groundout by T.J. White to extend their advantage to two, 2-0.

Right-hander Buddy Borden (0-2) took the loss after allowing both runs through four innings.

The Sun Devils host Cal for three games over the weekend in the first-ever Pac-12 series at Packard Stadium. ASU takes on the Golden Bears on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (PT), and at 12:30 p.m. (PT) on Sunday.