Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. ?  Wichita State dropped its second game in as many days, falling to 36-13 on the season with a 6-1 loss to third-ranked Arizona State (38-9) Wednesday night at Eck Stadium.

After an hour-long rain delay, the Sun Devils jumped out to an early advantage in the top of the first. After a walk and a hit batsman by Tim Kelley put runners on first and second, ASU's Mike Leake hit a blooper to left field that allowed Jason Kipnis to score from second. A wild throw by Mitch Caster in left field allowed ASU's Brett Wallace to come home, giving the visitors a 2-0 edge after one frame.

Kelley settled down over the next three innings, retiring nine straight Sun Devils before giving up a hit to Kiel Rolling in the top of the fourth. Rolling never had a chance to threaten the Shockers, however, as Rocky Laguna flied out to center to end the ASU fourth.

Pitching for both teams was impressive in the early goings of the game. Kelly surrendered just two hits through the first five innings, while ASU's Matt Newman gave up two hits himself through his first five innings of work.

Arizona State added another run in their half of the sixth. After reaching on a single to center, Petey Paramore scored on a double to deep left field, giving the Sun Devils a 3-0 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth.

The Shockers finally put themselves on the board in the bottom of the sixth. After reaching on a single to second, Andy Dirks scored on a deep double by Dusty Coleman to the center field fence, bringing the Shockers to within two at 3-1 after six.

Wichita State had its chance in the bottom of the seventh. A double to deep left by Mitch Caster and a walk by pinch hitter Ryan Engrav gave the Shockers two runners with two outs, but pinch runner Ryan Jones was picked off to end the threat, and the seventh inning.

Meanwhile, the Sun Devils weren't done. Kipnis singled to shortstop as the second batter of the inning, and later scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Petey Paramore to give ASU a 4-1 lead with just six outs remaining.

Arizona State added to its lead yet again in the ninth. Pinch runner Jake Elmore crossed the plate for ASU's fifth run of the game on a single to center by Matt Newman, who would come around to score on a sacrifice bunt by Raoul Torrez, giving the Sun Devils the 6-1 lead they would go on to win by.

Kelley was hit with the loss. The redshirt freshman threw six innings, giving up three runs on just four hits while walking one and striking out four. Kelley is now 4-3 on the season.

Matt Newman picked up his first win of the season for Arizona State, and is 1-0 this season after pitching just two innings prior to Wednesday's game.

The Shockers begin a three-game weekend series Friday at Evansville. Friday and Saturday's games can be seen on Kansas NOW 22.