Box Score Phoenix, Ariz. – Jimmy Kingsbury was nearly flawless through six innings of work, but some manufactured runs from No. 3 Arizona State (1-0) in the seventh proved to be the difference in the season opener as Villanova (0-1) fell by a score of 4-1.
 
Kingsbury finished with a final line of 6.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 K, 2 BB, but pitched even better than his line indicates. Through six, Kingsbury held one of the nation's most potent offenses to only one run and had struck out five while issuing only one walk. The Sun Devil hitters were off balance all night as Kingsbury spun his slider effectively for what were typically easy outs.
 
Villanova went toe-to-toe with the Sun Devils through the first three innings. It was a true pitcher's duel in the early going, starting with Kingsbury striking out the side in the first. Through three, each team had only one hit and no runners advanced beyond second base.
 
ASU broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run from the preseason national player of the year, Spencer Torkelson. Kingsbury responded well and retired the next three batters in order to hold the Sun Devils to just one.
 
Villanova had a chance to tie or take the lead in the top of the sixth. Pat O'Neill picked up a one out single followed by an E5 to put two on with one out. Toohers looked like he might have a double to the gap, but a ranging play from center took it away. A walk to Margulis loaded the bases with two down and brought up Tyler Bruno. Bruno ultimately grounded out to second to end the threat and the Wildcats remained scoreless.
 
Villanova did not squander its chance in the following frame. After getting to the ASU bullpen, a one-out walk to Will Reiner and a wild pitch put him on second for Tim Lilly. The senior delivered an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 1-1.
 
ASU responded and quickly retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh. A leadoff walk and well executed hit and run put runners on the corners and left Kingsbury in his first jam of the day. An RBI single to left started the rally before an infield single and RBI groundout to first brought home the next two. Cam Mathes, who came on in relief in the frame, picked up a called strike three to leave the bases loaded and limit any additional damage.
 
That was all the run support ASU would need, as Villanova was kept scoreless in the final two frames and dropped the opener 4-1.
 
Despite the loss, the opener was full of positives for the Wildcats. The pitching was solid throughout the night. Mathes allowed an inherited run to score, but did not surrender any of his own, and Tyler Arella worked a scoreless eighth.
 
The offense out-hit ASU through six innings and had chances to score runs. A few other hard hit balls were hit right at outfielders and resulted in outs.
 
Villanova returns to action tomorrow at 2:00 ET/12:00 MT for game two of the series with Gordon Graceffo expected to take the hill.
 
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