No. 25 Arizona State (31-17, 15-11 Pac-12) boasts one of the hottest offenses in the college baseball universe, as showcased by a big five-run sixth inning thrust them to victory on Friday night.

However, for all the offense they displayed on Friday, they were dealt it in return from USC (23-24, 11-15) on Saturday afternoon as the Trojans poured on an insurmountable three-run deficit in the sixth, handing the Sun Devils a 6-1 loss.

The Trojans came out of the game hot, as redshirt freshman outfielder Miko Rodriguez slotted a double down the left field line. USC got another base runner on via a walk before advancing Rodriguez to third on a wild pitch. Redshirt junior infielder Ben Ramirez opened Saturday’s scoring with a two-RBI double to left-center field.

The Sun Devils answered quickly, but it would be their only response all afternoon. Freshman first baseman Jack Moss singled through the left side, before making reaching second as redshirt freshman catcher Nate Baez walked. A dribbling double down the left field line via the bat of freshman right fielder Kade Higgins was enough for Moss to trot across home plate.

That would be the only runs Arizona State would get as USC redshirt sophomore Chandler Champlain settled into a nearly unhittable groove during the middle innings. The Coto de Caza, California native pitched sixth and a third innings, allowing just four hits, one run, two walks, and seven strikeouts on 90 pitches.

Champlain retired the Sun Devils in order in the first, third, fourth, and sixth innings before he was replaced in the seventh. The Trojan bullpen only gave up one hit – a Moss single in the ninth – after replacing Champlain.

On the mound for ASU was redshirt junior righty Justin Fall, who struggled for success compared to Champlain’s afternoon cruise through the ASU lineup. Fall made it through five and two-thirds innings before Sun Devil skipper Tracy Smith went to the bullpen. He allowed 10 hits, five runs (all earned), walked one batter, and struck out four.

Half of the hits Fall allowed were doubles, two of which came during a three-run scoring spree to distance USC to a 5-1 lead. Freshman catcher Garret Guillemette began the offensive flurry with a single up the left side, before advancing to second on a routine groundout. The freshman scored on an RBI double from redshirt junior outfielder Trevor Halsema. Another double, this one from redshirt senior outfielder John Thomas - propelled Halsema to third. An RBI single would scoot Halsema across home plate, before a fielder’s choice allowed Thomas to score as well.

Halsema would be responsible for the final run of the game too, as logged one of two hits against the trio of ASU relievers who entered the game. He reached second on a double to right-center field off of redshirt sophomore righty Blake Burzell, before advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on a sacrifice fly.

As far as the other efforts from ASU’s offense, redshirt freshman outfielder Joe Lampe and freshman third baseman Hunter Haas each logged a single in the five-hit affair.

Smith’s squad will look to bring the bats back to life ahead of the Sunday matinee rubber match between the two Pac-12 foes. First pitch is scheduled for noon MST.