by WSU Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – Arizona State scored six times in the top of the eighth and the No. 21 Sun Devils rallied for a 12-8 victory over Washington State in the Pac-12 Conference series opener, Friday.
The Sun Devils (32-21, 18-10 Pac-12) scored against each of the four Washington State (23-29, 13-15) relievers in the inning. Matt Bower (2-2) was charged with a pair of runs and took the loss. The other four runs in the inning were unearned as Arizona State overcame a 5-4 deficit.
The Sun Devils added a pair of runs in the ninth to increase their advantage to 12-5. In the bottom of the frame, Nick Tanielu collected an RBI-double, his fourth hit in the game and P.J. Jones added a two-run single to account for the final score.
Jordan Aboites (5-2), the third of fourth pitchers used by Arizona State, worked 1 1/3 shutout innings for the victory.
The Cougars jumped out to a lead with a four-run second. Jones and Patrick McGrath singled and Ben Roberts was hit by a pitch to load the bases Luke Stratman cleared the bases with a double to stake Washington to a 3-0 lead. With two outs, Michael Monda walked and Tanielu capped the rally with an RBI-single off Arizona State starter Brett Lilek.
The Sun Devils responded with three runs on four hits in the fourth against Cougar starter Joe Pistorese. Arizona State tied the game with a run in the seventh and loaded the bases with out to end Pistorese’s night. Sam Triece and Matt Bower each came out of the bullpen to record a strikeout and preserve a 4-4 tie.
Washington State regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh against the Arizona State bullpen. Trace Tam Sing led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice by Collin Slaybaugh. With two out, Tanielu knocked in the go-ahead run with a single to left.
The series continues, Saturday at 4 p.m.
