Phoenix, Ariz. — It wasn’t the weekend the No. 24 Arizona baseball team wanted as it lost the series against No. 9 ASU in Tempe. Arizona (22-11, 7-7 Pac-12 Conference) lost to ASU (23-9, 11-3 Pac-12) 13-7 on Sunday.
The Wildcats lost their last series and are now in the midst of a five-game losing streak.
Designated hitter Michael Hoard tried to get a rally going for Arizona in the ninth inning by singling home a run, and outfielder Zach Gibbons drove the last run in with a sacrifice fly, but the Wildcats fell short.
Arizona had to go through seven pitchers on the night, and that still wasn’t enough to stop the Sun Devils’ bats.
Instead of Robby Medel, it was Xavier Borde who started the second weekend game and took the loss, making it his first loss of the season.
Borde didn’t finish an inning before allowing four runs on three hits in the first inning.
That’s where it all went downhill for Arizona, as no pitcher could stop ASU from getting hits.
Austin Schnabel, Medel, Matt Hartman, Cameron Ming, Mathew Troupe and Rio Gomez were the other pitching contributors.
Offensively for Arizona, the team collected 14 hits on the night, and ASU recorded 16.
ASU was led by Colby Woodmansee as he went 3-for-4 at the plate, contributing with four RBIs and three runs scored.
The Sun Devils used just two of their pitchers with Ryan Kellogg getting the start and pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs.
Eric Melbostad, who pitched 3.1 innings, allowed two runs on four hits and was ASU’s final pitcher to take the series.
A walk-off single won the game for the Sun Devils on Saturday to secure the first game of the series.
ASU beat Arizona 5-4 in the very last inning, in front of 6,247 people, a season-high attendance at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Nathan Bannister (5-1) took the loss, making it his first loss of the season.
Bannister pitched three innings, allowing four hits and one earned run before getting into trouble in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Ming stepped on the mound after Bannister and loaded up the bases after facing the top of ASU’s lineup.
ASU’s Johnny Sewald was walked, and then the Devils were able to thank Jake Peevyhouse for delivering a pitch to right field that gave ASU the victory.
Peevyhouse also hit his first home run of the season when facing Arizona’s Cody Hamlin.
The Wildcats were outhit by ASU by six hits, but guys like Cody Ramer and Riley Moore were able to contribute with key hits on the nights.
Both went 2-for-3 at the plate, and Ramer, who made his second start of the year in left field, recorded one RBI, added a sacrifice bunt and made an outfield assist, throwing out a Sun Devil at home plate.
Up next, Arizona will face ASU again tonight for the final game of the series, looking for a win to avoid a sweep.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
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