TEMPE, Ariz. -- The gift of the Maggi was a long time coming, but it was good enough to advance top-seeded Arizona State to its 22nd College World Series.

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AP Photo/Ralph FresoArizona State advanced to the College World Series after winning consecutive 12-inning contests over Arkansas.

Leadoff man Drew Maggi, who had been just 4-for-25 in the postseason, blasted a two-run home run in the top of the 12th inning to give the Sun Devils a 7-5 win over Arkansas and a two-game sweep in a hotly contested series that included 24 innings and eight and a half hours of baseball.

Suffice it to say that every run mattered between these two teams.

"Arkansas gave us all that we could handle," said Sun Devils coach Tim Esmay, who had the "interim" tag removed from his title only on June 2.

Game 2 was a mirror image of Game 1, although the Sun Devils found a way to win both. ASU tied Game 1 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. On Sunday, playing as the home team, the Razorbacks returned the favor with two outs in the bottom of the ninth: Brett Eibner blasted a hanging slider on a 1-2 pitch from dominant closer Jordan Swagerty over the left-field fence to tie the game at 5.

"Brett just hammered it," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "I just wish somebody would have been on base."

In the opener, the Razorbacks pounded ASU ace Seth Blair. The Sun Devils provided the same rough treatment to Arkansas' Drew Smyly. They jumped to a 4-0 lead on three home runs, a pair of solo shots by Zach Wilson and a monstrous two-run rip from Riccio Torrez that hit the top of the scoreboard in left-center.

Smyly, who didn't start Game 1 because he's nursing a blister on his left (throwing) hand, wasn't himself. He lasted only 4 2/3 innings. But just as Mitchell Lambson picked up Blair with five quality innings on Saturday, so did DJ Baxendale for Smyly on Sunday. The freshman allowed just one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings.

Swagerty (2-0) blew the save but earned the win, striking out seven in 4 1/3 innings. The home run was the only real damage Arkansas did to him.

Although ASU jumped ahead with an early power show, Arkansas needed only a leadoff single to plate two runs in the fourth. Sun Devils starter Merrill Kelly suddenly lost his control, walking two and hitting two with pitches.

Defense was a difference-maker in the series. Arizona State had one error in two games; the Razorbacks had five, which cost them two unearned runs in Game 1 and one in Game 2.

And one of the biggest plays of the game was a outstanding defensive effort by the Sun Devils in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and second, Razorbacks infielder Andy Wilkins flew out to right field. The runners tagged, but Eibner got caught between first and second. A rundown commenced, at which point Zack Cox tried to sneak home. But Torrez saw Cox make his break and nailed him at the plate.

Between the early power show and Maggi's blast, ASU struggled to get a big hit. Twice -- in the second and fifth inning -- the Sun Devils had runners on second and third and couldn't get them home. In the eighth, they had the bases loaded with one out, but Torrez hit into a double play. After stranding 19 runners in their 7-6 victory in Game 1, they left 14 on base in Game 2.

Arizona State, which has been to four College World Series since 2005 and finished third last year, improved to 52-8. Arkansas finished its season at 43-21.

Esmay, 45, was hired in December to replace the controversial Pat Murphy, whose contract was terminated without cause in November in the wake of an NCAA investigation into the program. Although his players have talked openly throughout the year about their singular goal to win the school's first national championship since 1981, Esmay has emphasized not looking "past the process" as well as "enjoying the ride."

"It's not been easy, but it sure is a lot of fun," he said.