PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Arizona State Sun Devils used a dominant pitching performance from starter Alex Overbay and a decisive six-run sixth inning to overpower the Loyola Marymount Lions 9-1 on Saturday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The victory improved Arizona State’s record to 10-4, while Loyola Marymount fell to 5-12.

Overbay set the tone early, earning the win with four scoreless innings. He allowed four hits, walked none and struck out five. His outing continued a strong run of form, having not allowed an earned run in his last three appearances spanning eight innings.

Arizona State’s offense provided just enough support for Overbay early. After Loyola Marymount starter Adam Behrens held the Sun Devils hitless through the first five and one-third innings, the game unraveled for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth. Behrens took the loss, charged with five runs, four earned, over 5 1/3 innings despite not allowing a hit until the sixth.

The most important part of the game was Arizona State’s explosive sixth inning, which broke open a tight 3-1 contest. The Sun Devils sent 10 batters to the plate, collecting six hits and capitalizing on a Loyola Marymount error to score six runs. The rally started with a single by Ryan Roellig, the first hit off Behrens. Nu’u Contrades followed with an RBI single to make it 4-1. After a pitching change, Kien Vu Michel doubled home Contrades. Dean Toigo then singled in Michel, and Beckett Zavorek capped the outburst with a triple to deep center field, scoring Toigo and pushing the lead to 7-1.

Toigo was a key contributor, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. His solo shot to deep right field in the second inning gave Arizona State a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish. Landon Hairston added a solo homer in the seventh, his fourth of the season. Contrades finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Sun Devils’ bullpen was flawless in relief of Overbay. Taylor Penn, Sean Fitzpatrick, Eli Buxton and Anthony Anello combined for five innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out five to secure the win.

Loyola Marymount managed eight hits but repeatedly squandered opportunities, going 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and hitting into two double plays. The Lions’ lone run came in the ninth inning on an RBI double by Diego Ortiz that scored Diego Gamboa, who had walked.

The game was a stark contrast to the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a 7-4 Arizona State victory, with the Sun Devils’ pitching proving even more stifling than anticipated.

The two teams conclude their three-game series on Sunday.