May 2, 2004
ASU Baseball Links:
TEMPE, Ariz. -- The nationally ranked Arizona State Sun Devil baseball team will host New Mexico State (30-15-1) Monday and Tuesday in a two-game non-conference series at Packard Stadium.
The Sun Devils have won seven of their last nine games to improve to 30-13 overall and are tied for fourth place in the Pac-10 at 7-8. ASU is coming off a successful eight-game road trip, winning a pair of Pac-10 series against UCLA and Washington State and sweeping a two-game series against No. 7 Wichita State. The Devils have an impressive 13-3 record against ranked opponents and held the No. 7 projected RPI in the nation (BoydsWorld.com).
ASU is 26-2 all-time against New Mexico State and a perfect 26-0 in designated home games against the Aggies. The Sun Devils defeated NMSU 15-0 in the only meeting last year in the NCAA Regional at Tempe Diablo Park. The Devils only two losses in the series came in 2001 and 2002 in Las Cruces, N.M. The Devils and Aggies will also play May 19 (6 p.m.) at Presley Askew Field.
Junior All-American shortstop Dustin Pedroia (Woodland, Calif.) leads the Pac-10 hitting .419 (75-for-179) with 21 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBI. He has recorded 22 multi-hit games and is currently tied for fourth in the ASU record books with a .389 career batting average.
Junior All-American outfielder Jeff Larish (Tempe, Ariz.) is heating up with a current nine-game hitting streak (.350, 14-for-40, 5 2B, HR, 10 RBI) and is hitting .288 overall with three home runs, 16 doubles and 36 RBI.
Junior infielder Josh Asanovich (Gold Canyon, Ariz.) is currently the hottest Sun Devil at the plate, going 5-for-7 (.714) in the series at Wichita State is is hitting .444 (12-for-27) over his last nine games. Asanovich is second on the team hitting .358 (34-for-95) with three home runs and 24 RBI. Freshman Joe Persichina (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) is also 12-for-27 (.444) over his last nine games to raise his season average to .349 (38-for-109).
Senior right-handed pitcher Jeff Mousesr (Tempe, Ariz.) has been ASU's standout on the mound in recent weeks. Mousser has won three straight decisions, maintaining a 2.42 ERA in his last 22.1 IP to improve to 4-3 on the year (3.65 ERA). Junior RHP Jason Urquidez (Simi Valley, Calif.) leads the Sun Devils with an 8-2 record and a 3.25 ERA. Freshman closer Zechry Zinicola (San Bernadino, Calif.) has recorded two wins and three saves in his last eight outings (15.0 IP, 1.20 ERA). Zinicola is 4-2 with four saves and a 3.70 ERA for the season.
Following the two-game series with New Mexico State, the Sun Devils will take nine days off to concentrate on final exams before hosting Oregon State to a crucial three-game Pac-10 series (May 14-16) at Packard Stadium.