TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sophomore starter Ryan Kellogg allowed just one hit in the first eight innings to lead the 25th-ranked Arizona State baseball team to its fourth consecutive Pac-12 series win with a 4-1 victory over Cal on Saturday night at Packard Stadium.
Kellogg tied his career-long outing at Packard Stadium as the Sun Devils (19-13, 9-5) won for the eighth time in their past 10 Pac-12 games. The lefty retired six straight batters in the third and fourth innings, and again in the seventh and eighth innings, and stranded three runners at third base. He struck out five and issued just one walk to go with five hits.
Head coach Tim Esmay earned his 400th career win, including his 187th at ASU, and 80th Pac-10/12 victory, the most by any coach in school history through their first five seasons.
Junior first baseman Nate Causey put the Devils on the scoreboard with a solo home run, his first of the season, in the bottom of the opening frame, and ASU added one run in the sixth and two in the eighth.
Sophomore right-hander Jordan Aboites (1) recorded his first career save after he worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the ninth. Freshman shortstop Colby Woodmansee made an over-the-shoulder catch in shallow left field to record the first out, and Aboites induced a game-ending double play to secure the win.
The Bears (14-17, 3-8) threatened to take an early lead in the top of the first inning, but redshirt junior right fielder Trever Allen threw out Cal right fielder Brian Celsi at the plate to end the frame. Celsi was hit by a pitch and stole second before he attempted to take two bases on a two-out single by first baseman Nick Halamandaris.
A pair of singles and an RBI groundout by Cal third baseman Chris Paul knotted the score at one run apiece in the top of the fifth inning.
Sophomore third baseman Dalton DiNatale led off the sixth inning with a triple to right field and scored four batters later on a sacrifice fly by Woodmansee to put ASU back on top 2-1.
ASU added two runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend its advantage to 4-1. Freshman catcher Brian Serven scored on a wild pitch, and junior left fielder Jake Peevyhouse scored on a fielderâs choice by sophomore center fielder Johnny Sewald.
Cal left-hander Kyle Porter (4-3) allowed just two runs through six innings but was chased with runners on second and third and one out in the bottom of the seventh. He was responsible for four runs on six hits and three walks and took the loss.
