University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Arizona State
Late Vol Rally Falls Short in 5-4 Loss
February 10, 2002 | Baseball
Feb. 10, 2002
Mesa, Ariz. - Bryce Kartler no-hit Tennessee for five innings and Kevin Ethier went 3-for-4 as the No. 17 Arizona State Sun Devils swept a three-game series from the No. 25 Volunteers with a 5-4 win at HoHoKam Stadium. ASU improved to 7-0 on the season, while the Vols dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 1-5.
Tennessee mounted its only threat in the ninth as it loaded the bases on a single by Nick Crowe, Walter Sevilla reached on an error and Jordan Czarniecki got hit by a pitch. With no outs, Ryan Moffett drew a bases loaded walk to push home Crowe to cut the lead to 5-2. Then Sevilla scored when Javi Herrera reached on a fielders choice, and Matt Sternberg's double plated Moffett to bring the Vols to within 5-4. But back-to-back strikeouts by Dennis Gomez and Brandon Hopkins ended the scoring opportunity.
Robbie McClellan, who got the win in ASU's 7-4 win Friday, came on in the ninth to record three outs pick up the save.
Kartler (1-0) who struckout a career-high tying nine, was also a touch wild as he issued six walks and uncorked three wild pitches in 6 2/3 innings.
Moffett led off the sixth with a single to right to breakup the no-hit bid.
Joey Andrews (1-1), who walked four, was saddled with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in three innings.
Tennessee's bullpen provided the lone bright spot of the day as Dusty Johnson and Brian St. Jean combined to shutout the Sun Devils over the last five innings, allowing just one hit.
Arizona State started off with a bang by pounding out three hits in the first inning and took a 1-0 lead on a single by Steve Garrabrants.
Two innings later, the Sun Devils sent 10 men to the plate and scored four runs to break the game open for a 5-0 lead. They took advantage Andrews' wildness by drawing four walks and while mixing in three hits.
Tennessee scored an unearned run in the seventh as Dennis Gomez scored from second on a high throw to first from ASU third baseman Dustin Pedrioa.
Tennessee returns to action against Bowling Green State at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Feb. 15-17.
