Washington State at ASU

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Radio: KDUS-AM (1060) Friday and Saturday.

ASU: The Sun Devils (13-18, 2-10 Pac-12) ended a five-game losing streak Tuesday with a 5-3 non-conference win over UNLV. Eder Erives pitched 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief for his third save. They are seeking their first conference win since April 1, having been swept last week at California. “We’ve got to get a win, we’ve got to get these guys feeling good about themselves,” coach Tracy Smith said after the UNLV game. “Eli (Lingos) tried to battle through the flu last weekend and wasn’t able to do that so we took him out immediately so one of our best pitchers was ready to go, so let’s try to go get the win and we’ll worry about the weekend on the weekend.” Freshman Chaz Montoya (2-2, 5.72 ERA) is expected to pitch Thursday in a series starting early because of Easter weekend. Smith said he thought his team quit at times last week (0-4) and that “lessons can be learned that transcend baseball and carry over to life. Who’s going to keep playing? We’re feeling the (coaching) transition now, but it should not affect our effort. You dig your heels in and work hard, there’s no choice.”

Washington State: The Cougars (15-14, 2-7) are 10th in the Pac-12, one place ahead of last place ASU. They lost two of three last weekend to No.7 Arizona and before that were swept by Cal. 3B Shane Matheny, 2B Dillon Plew, OF J.J. Hancock, OF Justin Harrer and 1B James Rudkin are the hitting leaders. Hancock and Harrer each have four home runs. Pitching leaders are Ryan Walker (3-3, 5.31), Cody Anderson (3-2, 2.79) and Scotty Sunitsch (7 saves). Marty Lees is in his second season as coach.

Tuesday: ASU 5, UNLV 3

Lyle Lin hit a two-run double, Tyler Williams added a home run and ASU baseball (13-18) held on for a 5-3 win over UNLV on Tuesday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Starting pitcher Eli Lingos got the win for the Sun Devils after allowing two earned runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Coming up

Thursday, April 13, 6:30 p.m.: Arizona State vs. Washington State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Friday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.: Arizona State vs. Washington State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Saturday, April 15, 12:30 p.m.: Arizona State vs. Washington State, Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

MORE: full season schedule here. Pac-12 baseball standings.

Preview

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

ASU: The Sun Devils (12-18) are on a five-game losing streak and in danger of their first losing season since 1985 (31-35) and second in the varsity era since 1959. They were 0-4 last week, losing a non-conference game at No. 7 Arizona and being swept at California by a combined 36-14. ASU (2-10 Pac-12) remains at home against Washington State for a conference series starting Thursday. ASU’s team earned run average is up to 5.89, No. 235 nationally. The Sun  Devils rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat UNLV 5-4 on March 28 on Barry Bonds night. They play at UNLV on April 18.

UNLV: The Rebels are 12-22 after losing two of three at Air Force last weekend. Since their March 28 game against ASU, they also were swept at Iowa in three close games and beat Utah Valley State. OF Ernie De La Trinidad and Payton Squier, both of Phoenix, continue to lead in hitting at .373 and .350 while seven players have 15 or more RBI.

Last week

Arizona State (12-18 overall, 2-10 Pac-12) went 0-4, dropping a non-conference game to Arizona in Tucson and then losing three straight at Cal.