What a great game by Josh Spence! A complete game performance sealed the Super Regionals for the home team, and Clemson went home after being swept out of the valley. ASU won, 8-2.
ASU is playing like a well-oiled machine, with the 1-2 hitters getting on base and setting the table for the rest of the lineup.
I was so glad to see him back on the mound for the Sun Devils. Even without the experience of last year's team, with a one-two punch of Mike Leake and Josh Spence, ASU has a great shot at bringing home another title to Tempe.
Jason Kipnis, Kole Calhoun and Matt Newman each had two RBIs for the Sun Devils, who improved to 49-12. They have won 16 of their past 17 games.
Spence (9-1) required a heat pad in the early going for a back strain he suffered in last week's regionals, but the Clemson hitters were doing the most wincing while trying to solve the savvy and unpredictable lefty.
"I don't think he started anybody off with the same pitch back-to-back," noted Tigers first baseman Ben Paulsen, who fanned twice.
Spence said his go-to pitch was his slider, adding that his hand isn't bothering him any more.
ASU will play North Carolina (47-16), the No. 4 seed, either Saturday or Sunday. The Tar Heels swept East Carolina in their super regional earlier Sunday.
We will have a breakdown of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the coming days, so check back for more CWS coverage right here.