Feb. 5, 2000
Designated hitter Brendan Hines hit two homeruns as Arizona State baseball defeated No. 5 Florida State, 15-9, this afternoon at Packard Stadium before a crowd of 4, 023. The Sun Devils improve to 8-1, while FSU goes to 4-1.
The Seminoles jumped on the board first, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. ASU would answer in the bottom of the second with five runs to take the lead. Leftfielder Mitch Jones singled to center to start the inning off. Hines then homered to left to tie the game at two apiece. After consecutive singles by Jeff Phelps and Brooks Conrad, catcher Trent Pratt walked to load the bases. Shortstop Dennis Wytrick would hit inot a fielders choice with Phelps out on the play. Rightfielder Jonah Martin was hit by a pitch scoring Conrad from third. Jeff Duncan then grounded to the shortstop, scoring Pratt. Wyrick would score on an error to close out the inning for the Devils.
FSU would tie the game in the fourth inning scoring three runs. They recaptured the lead in the fifth, scoring four runs. The Devils answered with seven in the bottom of the fifth. ASU would score three more in the sixth to seal the win.
Reliever Will Waldrip (2-0) notched the win on the mound, pitching 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit. Junior Eric Doble pitched 4.0 shutout innings to pick up his first save of the season. Starter Chad Pennington went 4.1 innings, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts for a no-decision.
For the Devils, Hines went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. Third baseman Jeff Phelps turned in a 2-for-4 performance with two runs scored. Pratt scored three runs and had three walks on the afternoon.
Taking the loss for the Seminoles was starter Blair Varnes, who gave up 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts. Third baseman Pichi Balet turned in a 2-for-3 performance with three RBI. Rightfielder Chris Smith went 1-for-4 with three RBI.
Arizona State and Florida State close out the three-game non-conference series tomorrow at Packard at 1 p.m. RHP Mike Ziegler (1-0) is slated to start for the Seminoles while LHP Drew Friedberg (0-0) will get the nod for the Sun Devils.
For ticket information, please call the Sun Devil ticket office at 480-965-2381.