March 20, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. - Merrill Kelly threw seven shutout innings and Zach Wilson drove in five as the No. 1 Arizona State University baseball team defeated Houston 6-0 on Saturday at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. A crowd of 3,820 saw the Sun Devils improve to 19-0 on the season with the win.
Kelly allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out eight to improve to 5-0 in his first five starts of the season. Mitchell Lambson and Jordan Swagerty each pitched scoreless innings out of the bullpen to finish off the victory.
Wilson was the star at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI to lead the Sun Devil offense. Johnny Ruettiger also had three hits in the victory.
The Sun Devils got on the board early, as Zack MacPhee and Kole Calhoun both drew walks and Riccio Torrez followed with an RBI double over the head of the Houston third baseman.
In the third, Calhoun led off with a single and Riccio Torrez was hit by a pitch, and two batters later, Wilson hit a three-run homer to center to put ASU in front 4-0. An inning later, Wilson again provided the spark at the plate, driving in both Calhoun and Matt Newman on a two-out double down the left field line.
That was more than enough offense for Kelly and the bullpen, as the Cougars had just three men reach base over the final seven innings.
The Sun Devils will conclude their three-game series with Houston on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.