PHOENIX -- Starting left-hander Brett Lilek dominated for the second consecutive outing, but the offense was unable to match him as No. 12 Sun Devil Baseball fell to Washington State, 1-0, in 10 innings on Friday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Lilek tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts and allowed just one hit, a single in the fourth inning, through seven innings. He has not allowed an earned run and has conceded just four hits in 16 consecutive innings dating back to his last start against UCLA on May 10.
Arizona State's pitching gave up just two hits and set a season-high with 16 strikeouts, but the Cougars (28-24, 10-16) were able to notch the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning with a walk, a wild pitch and a RBI single from pinch hitter Wes Leow.
Center fielder Johnny Sewald dropped a two-out single into left-center field in the bottom of the 10th and left fielder Jake Peevyhouse took a five-pitch walk to put the tying run at second base, but a groundout by shortstop Colby Woodmansee left the series tied at one game apiece.
Right-hander Darin Gillies (2-4) was responsible for the sole run and took the loss. He tied his career-high for strikeouts as a relief pitcher with five and threw two perfect relief innings in the eighth and ninth before he allowed the eventual winning run.
Lilek capped a pair of perfect opening innings with a looking strikeout to end both frames, and left the bases loaded in the third with a swinging strikeout. He used back-to-back strikeouts in the fifth to strand a runner at second and retired the final nine batters he faced.
The Sun Devils (31-19, 16-10) threatened in both the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to plate the go-ahead run. They loaded the bases in the sixth behind a hit batter, a single and a walk, but a two-out strikeout ended the frame. A leadoff single by first baseman Joey Bielek, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk put runners at first and second, but a double-play ball stifled the opportunity.
Washington State starting left-hander Joe Pistorese (8-4) tossed nine scoreless innings to pick up his eighth win of the year. He scattered five hits and four walks, and struck out six. Right-hander Ian Hamilton (13) took the mound in the 10th to earn the save.
