Spencer Torkelson did it all for Arizona State (36-14, 15-10 Pac-12) on Friday. Four hits including his 20th long ball of the season provided a lot of the offense in the Sun Devils’ 6-5 win over Cal (29-18, 14-11).
The slugger sophomore first baseman played hero for ASU with a single to bring in junior right fielder Carter Aldrete in the top of the 11th for the game-winning run.
Earlier in the contest, Torkelson became the second player in the BBCOR era to hit back-to-back seasons with at least 20 home runs. He also doubled and was later brought in by double by sophomore left fielder Trevor Hauver.
Aldrete started the offense with in the fifth with his solo blast. Sophomore third baseman Gage Workman added a two RBI triple in the eighth to give ASU a one-run lead.
However, designated closer RJ Dabovich didn’t fulfill his job head coach Tracy Smith asked of him. As Dabovich was tasked to face reigning Golden Spikes Award winner Andrew Vaughn, and Vaughn sent out the 3-2 pitch from Dabovich to tie the game up.
Dabovich was bailed out by Torkelson and sophomore right-handed pitcher Brady Corrigan, who struck out the side in his only inning of work in the 11th for his second save of the season.
Junior righty Alec Marsh received a no-decision, but had another solid outing. Over six innings, Marsh allowed four hits and four runs with 10 strikeouts. Two runs were unearned as two ASU errors led to those runs. A third-run homer from Cal’s shortstop Sam Wezniak in the second was Marsh’s largest blemish, however, he responded nicely to keep ASU in it.
The Sun Devils will try to clinch the series on Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.