From Staff and wire reports
Devils rally to take 2 of 3 from UA in Tempe
Throughout this past weekend's three-game series against Arizona State in Tempe, the Arizona baseball team was led by its pitching staff.
The Wildcat pitchers, however, likely won't be remembered for their efforts.
The Sun Devils took their second game of the series yesterday when a pop fly bounced off UA center fielder Clayton Bried's glove in the 11th inning, allowing the Sun Devils to take a 6-5 win.
Though the Wildcats hadn't taken a series from ASU since 1992, things looked as if they were about to change for the Wildcats. UA and ASU were tied 1-1 in the series heading into the ninth inning of yesterday's contest.
Unfortunately for Arizona, the Sun Devils scored two runs and forced the game to go to extra innings.
UA seemed to unravel in the extra frames.
During the top of the eleventh, senior third baseman ErikTorres was ejected after arguing with umpire over balls and strikes.
To make matters worse for the Wildcats, senior first baseman Ernie Durazo was thrown out later in the inning after arguing with the first base umpire over a questionable call.
Defensive miscues in the eleventh allowed the Sun Devils to take the win.
With a man on first with one out, junior shortstop Brad Hassey let a potential inning-ending ground ball go through his legs, putting Sun Devils on first and third with one out.
UA then walked the bases loaded, leaving freshman pitcher Brian Anderson in a tight spot.
Anderson appeared to be on his way out of the jam when he forced ASU senior third baseman Mike Lopez to fly out to shallow center field with one out. Bried - charging to set up a throw home - allowed the ball to bounce off the heel of his glove, giving ASU the win.
The loss dropped UA to 29-21 and 8-10 in Pacific 10 Conference play. The Wildcats dropped to sixth in the conference with the two losses.
One bright spot for Arizona was the performance of freshman pitcher Sean Rierson (5-4), who pitched 7.1 innings in Saturday's 3-1 victory.
Rierson allowed just seven hits and struck out three Sun Devils in the win.
Anderson earned the save for UA Saturday, recording three straight outs after entering the game with the bases loaded and the Wildcats clinging to a 3-1 lead.
In the victory, junior right fielder Shelley Duncan hit his NCAA-leading 21st home runs.
The Wildcats though were not as lucky Friday, when they dropped a 7-4 decision to the Sun Devils.
Freshman Marc Kaiser (7-5) pitched five strong innings before allowing four runs in the sixth inning. The Wildcats were unable to overcome the deficit.
