(Pullman, WA) – Washington State had a tough time playing defense on their own FieldTurf at Bailey-Brayton Field on a clear but cool Friday night, committing four errors on the evening. Arizona State on the other hand was flawless on the unfamiliar field, while taking advantage of the Cougar miscues to take game one of this three game Pac-10 conference series, 15 to 3.
In the first inning Brett Wallace led off with a single to right field and Jason Kipnis followed with an infield single. After Petey Paramore struck out looking on what he thought was ball four, an error on a Ike Davis grounder allowed Wallace to score the games first run.
Two errors in the fourth inning by the Cougars opened the door for the Sun Devils, and they took advantage for the big inning. Nine runs on six hits including a home run by designated hitter Kiel Roling, allowed ASU to take its lead out to ten runs. WSU starter Ross Humes was responsible for all ten runs, however only one was earned because of the errors. Chad Arnold would come on in relief and get the final out of the inning after giving a walk to the first man he faced.
Alex Burg singled to left field to start off the bottom half of the fourth inning, and Scott Suttmeier hit the ball hard off ASU first baseman Davis’ glove for a double on the deflection. The deflection allowed WSU to score their first run as the ball would wind up at the wall, halfway down the right field line.
Another error in the sixth, this time a throwing error by WSU right fielder Burg allowed a run to score after a Mike Jones single. Wallace would subsequently also single to right, bringing in two more runs and pushing the ASU lead to 12.
After starter Josh Satow failed to get over to cover first base in time on a well placed infield single by Travis Coulter to start the bottom of the seventh, Paul Gran followed with a triple to right field that scored another Cougar run. That would be it for Satow as Dustin Brader would come on in relief. Brader would pitch the final three innings and pick up a save as Satow got the win.
A couple of balks by both pitching staffs allowed for some free bases in the late innings. In addition right fielder Burg made his first pitching appearance in his Cougar career as he pitched the bottom of the ninth and gave up one run.
Brett Wallace was the most productive of the Devils on Friday night, going 4 for 7 with a stolen base, 2 runs and 4 RBI’s.
Game two of the series will get underway Saturday afternoon at 2:00.
