ASU baseball: Kellogg, Lilek pitch Sun Devils to upset of No. 14 Oklahoma State

SURPRISE, Ariz.- Ryan Kellogg wasn't going to let bad weather ruin two straight days.

The sophomore lefty struck out a career-high ten batters in five innings, helping ASU to a 6-1 victory over No. 14 Oklahoma State in the final game of the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic.

Kellogg, the normal Saturday starter for the Sun Devils (6-4), was slated to pitch Saturday against Oklahoma but rain cancelled the game, pushing his start back a day.

Kellogg admitted the forced change affected him at first, but it didn't on the field, where he picked up his first victory of the season.

"It was a little weird," Kellogg said. "We focus a lot this year on our teams and it messed up the routine a little but I had to be mentally tough and get through it."

Kellogg came out of the gate strong, striking out the side in the first and bested his previous career-high of six after just three innings.

The only run Kellogg gave up came on a bunt single with the bases loaded in the second inning.

Overall, Kellogg was pleased with his outing, but confessed the strikeouts were just a nice bonus.

I don't know what it was," Kellogg said. "I just felt good out there and comfortable working with (Brian) Serven."

Kellogg was aided early and often by his offense, which blew the game open in the fourth inning with three runs.

Sophomore outfielder Chris Beall led the way, finishing with a career-high three hits and an RBI single in the pivotal fourth inning.

Eight of the nine Sun Devil position players reached base against the Cowboys (10-2), but head coach Tim Esmay singled out Beall's performance.

"He was awesome," Esmay said. "That kid was chomping at the bit and he got an opportunity and I thought it was a good matchup for him tonight."

Sophomore pitcher Brett Lilek, the normal Sunday starter, threw the final four innings and allowed just one hit, earning the first save of his career.

Lilek was happy to eat up innings and finish off Kellogg's performance, which he deemed "fantabulous."

As for his own performance, Lilek just tried to keep his approach simple.

"It was all about throwing strikes and making them put the ball in play," Lilek said. "I wasn't trying to do anything special."

Kellogg and Lilek combined for 15 strikeouts and allowed just two hits and Esmay reinforced his happiness with the weekend, which the Sun Devils finished undefeated for the second straight season.

"We played great team baseball," Esmay said. "We executed our stuff and had great at-bats and played good defense."

The Sun Devils return to action next weekend for a home series against SEC opponent Tennessee.