Devils can’t get past early holes

The 18th-ranked Arizona State baseball team was unable to come back from an early three-run deficit and fell to UC-Irvine 5-2 on Saturday in Irvine, Calif.

The Anteaters (3-3) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first behind five singles, including three straight in the middle of the order, and never relinquished their lead.

ASU starting left-hander Ryan Kellogg (0-1) tossed four consecutive scoreless innings after the first but took his first loss of the season and just the second loss of his career as he gave up four runs on 10 hits with two strike outs in six innings. He did not walk a batter for the seventh time in 17 career starts.

The Sun Devils (2-4) notched a pair of runs in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by center fielder Johnny Sewald and a sacrifice fly by Dalton DiNatale to pull within a run, but UC-Irvine countered with two runs in the next two innings to stretch its lead back to three at 5-2.

Right-hander Eric Melbostad took over in the seventh inning and allowed one run on one hit and a pair of walks.

Designated hitter Nate Causey led off the top of the ninth inning with a double off the wall in right-center field, but three consecutive outs ended the Devils’ chances of a late rally.

UCI starting right-hander Andrew Morales (1-0) earned his first win of the season after giving up two unearned runs on four hits and two walks in seven innings. Righthander Sam Moore (3) closed out the final two frames to pick up the save.

Friday’s game

ASU could not recover from a seven-run inning and fell to Long Beach State 11-0 on Friday night in Long Beach, Calif.

ASU starting sophomore right-hander Ryan Burr (0-1) allowed just one baserunner through the first two innings but walked the first three batters he faced in the bottom of the third to load the bases with no outs. Long Beach State (1-4) took advantage and broke open the scoreless tie with seven runs on three hits and a fielding error.

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