ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — Colin Linder pitched four scoreless innings and Nu’u Contrades hit a two-run home run Sunday as Arizona State defeated UCF 6-3 at Jay Bergman Field, winning the Big 12 series two games to one.

Linder allowed no hits and one earned run while striking out four in a start that set the tone for the Sun Devils, who improved to 33-15 overall and 15-9 in conference play. The Knights fell to 27-17 and 12-12.

Contrades went 2 for 3 with a home run, his 14th of the season, and drove in two runs. He also was hit by two pitches and scored twice. Right fielder Dean Toigo went 1 for 4 with an RBI double in the ninth inning.

Arizona State scored all six of its runs in the first and ninth innings. Hairston walked to lead off the game, and Contrades followed by driving a pitch over the fence to give the Sun Devils a 2-0 lead. The Sun Devils added three more runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.

UCF cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third inning when Williamson scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on a single. The Knights made it 2-2 in the sixth when Rogers walked, advanced on a double by Ross and scored on a Ross double. Ross finished 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Knights closed to 3-2 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Moran, but Arizona State answered with three runs in the top of the ninth. Hairston singled, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error. Contrades was hit by a pitch, and Toigo doubled to right to score Hairston. Roellig then hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Contrades, and Smaldino singled through the left side to bring home Toigo.

Arizona State relievers combined for five scoreless innings after Linder departed. Colby Guy allowed two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings but was credited with the win. Sean Fitzpatrick pitched one perfect inning, and Derek Schaefer got the final five outs without allowing a hit, striking out one. Schaefer earned the save.

For UCF, shortstop Jordan Lodise had three hits in four at-bats, including a double, and scored once. Third baseman III added two hits. The Knights outhit the Sun Devils 8-7 but stranded seven runners and struck out 11 times.

UCF starter Kaniel Rosado allowed two runs on one hit in 3 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out one. Anthony Lariz pitched three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out four. Max Murray allowed one hit in 2/3 of an inning.

The win gave Arizona State a series victory after UCF won the opener 4-2 on Saturday. The Sun Devils had won the series opener 9-4 on Friday. Arizona State is scheduled to play at Missouri on Tuesday before hosting Oklahoma State for a three-game series beginning Friday. UCF travels to Florida Atlantic on Tuesday then visits Baylor for a three-game series starting Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Arizona State 8, UCF 6. Interstat’s ELO system gave Arizona State a 50.10 percent probability to win.