Gutty little Sun Devil gives Arizona State the lead

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Johnny Ruettiger, nephew of famed former Notre Dame reserve defensive end Dan ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger, created a spine-tingling memory for Arizona State on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

The center fielder hit a two-run triple in the eighth inning to give the Sun Devils the go-ahead runs on the way to taking a 4-1 lead over UCLA. Arizona State still has runners on second and third with one out.

Things got off to a good start for Arizona State in the inning when Kole Calhoun doubled off UCLA starter Gerrit Cole, prompting Bruins Coach John Savage to bring in reliever Erik Goeddel. The right-hander walked Riccio Torrez but recovered when he fielded pinch-hitter Deven Marrero’s bunt and threw to third base for a force out.

Savage then went to reliever Matt Grace, who yielded Ruettinger’s triple to right-center field that gave Arizona State a 3-1 lead. Raoul Torrez followed with a run-scoring single through the left side of the infield.

--Ben Bolch