May 7, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State defeated the Long Beach State Dirtbags Saturday 9-2 behind a strong pitching performance by Kramer Champlin and a big night at the plate by Joey DeMichele. Champlin (7-2) was brilliant for 8.0 innings, allowing only two runs and scattering seven hits while striking out seven, earning the win and helping ASU improve to 34-11 on the year.
The Devils would score early and often throughout the game. ASU struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Austin Barnes hit a sharp groundball to second base, allowing Johnny Ruettiger to score on the play. Two batters later with Zack MacPhee on third, Matt Newman singled to center allowing Newman to score putting the Devils up 2-0.
In the bottom of the third, ASU would add to their lead. With Austin Barnes on second, Joey DeMichele would hit a ball to the left field wall, scoring Barnes. DeMichele would come around to score two batters later after Matt Newman again singled to center increasing the lead to 4-0.
The lead would grow in the bottom of the fourth when MacPhee hit a double to right field, allowing Michael Benjamin to score from second. On the very next pitch Austin Barnes hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Ruettiger. But the Devils were not done just yet. With MacPhee on second, DeMichele singled to center for his third hit of the game, driving in MacPhee to push the score to 7-0. ASU would add two more in the seventh to secure the victory.
Joey DeMichele was 5-5 with three RBI, his second five hit game of the season. Zack MacPhee, Austin Barnes and Matt Newman each had two hits a piece in the win.
The Devils and Dirtbags will wrap up the three game series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m from Winkles Filed-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.