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  • No. 19 Arizona State Wins Fifth Rubber Match And Takes Series Over UCF With A 6–3 Victory

No. 19 Arizona State Wins Fifth Rubber Match And Takes Series Over UCF With A 6–3 Victory

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(BCSNN) — No. 19 Arizona State secured its fifth rubber‑match victory of the season Sunday evening, scoring three runs in the ninth inning to defeat UCF 6–3 and clinch the weekend series.

The Sun Devils (33–15, 16–8 Big 12) reclaimed sole possession of second place in the conference with the win.

After dropping the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, ASU responded with timely hitting, critical defensive plays and key bullpen work to close out the nightcap.

Nu’u Contrades opened the scoring with a two‑run homer in the first inning — his second straight multi‑RBI performance — and finished as the only Sun Devil with multiple hits. But ASU’s offense stalled for much of the middle innings, going 1‑for‑18 from the second through seventh as UCF chipped away.

ASU’s pitching staff kept the Knights from taking control. Starter Colin Linder allowed one run over four innings, and reliever Sean Fitzpatrick delivered the game’s pivotal moment in the seventh. Entering with the bases loaded and one out in a 2–2 game, Fitzpatrick limited the damage to a sacrifice fly, allowing UCF to take only a 3–2 lead.

The Sun Devils immediately answered in the eighth. Austen Roellig singled to spark the rally, and Will Polk followed with another hit. A fielder’s‑choice misplay allowed Roellig to score the tying run, shifting momentum back to ASU.

In the ninth, ASU finally delivered the clutch hits that had eluded it earlier. Landon Hairston singled, stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw. Contrades was hit by a pitch, and Dean Toigo ripped a go‑ahead RBI double to right field. Roellig added a sacrifice fly, and Dominic Smaldino punched an RBI single to extend the lead to 6–3.

Closer Derek Schaefer finished the job in the ninth, highlighted by a standout backhand play from Roellig and a game‑ending 6–4–3 double play.

ASU had been 0‑for‑9 with runners in scoring position entering the ninth and had missed multiple late‑inning chances earlier in the day. Its only two hits with runners in scoring position came in the decisive final frame.

The Sun Devils return home next weekend for their final home conference series of the season. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. AZT on ESPN2.