FULLERTON, CALIF. – Joey Bielek’s two-run homer in the seventh inning gave Arizona State the lead for good in its 7-4 win over Clemson in the opening game of the Fullerton Regional at Goodwin Field on Friday afternoon. The Sun Devils, who moved into the winners’ bracket, improved to 35-21 on the season. The Tigers, who fell into the losers’ bracket, dropped to 32-28 in 2015.
With two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Andrew Cox slapped a two-out, two-run single to give Clemson a 2-0 lead. Trever Allen responded with a long solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, then Bielek lined a two-run homer in the seventh inning. Brian Serven hit the next pitch over the fence for another long ball in the seventh inning. The Sun Devils added three insurance runs in the eighth inning.
Ryan Kellogg (9-2) earned the win, as he allowed six hits, two runs and four walks with six strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Ryan Burr recorded the final out to register his 14th save of the year. Tiger starter Matthew Crownover (10-3) suffered the loss, as he yielded five hits, four runs and one walk with a career-high-tying nine strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Crownover allowed just six Sun Devils to reach base, but four scored on the Sun Devils’ three home runs.
The Tigers play the loser of Friday night’s game between No. 1 seed Cal State Fullerton and No. 4 seed Pepperdine on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN3.
