April 1, 2000
A two-run homer by junior Jeff Phelps proved to be the difference as No. 7 Arizona State defeated second-ranked Stanford 10-6 this afternoon at Packard Stadium. The Sun Devils run their record to 27-8, 3-2 Pac-10 while the Cardinal fall to 21-8, 3-2 in conference play.
For the second straight day, Stanford jumped out to the early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first off of starter Chad Pennington. ASU would respond with one in the bottom of the first to keep the game close.
In the top of the seventh, Stanford held a 6-4 edge until the Sun Devils took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Centerfielder Jeff Duncan hit an infield single to lead off the inning. He then stole second. Jones would strikeout swinging but reach base and advance to second on a throwing error by the catcher. Duncan scored on the error to pull ASU within a run. With one out on the scoreboard, first baseman Jeff Phelps hit his fourth homerun of the season - a two-run shot to right centerfield - to give Arizona State the lead.
The Sun Devils would score three more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.
Picking up his third win on the season was reliever Eric Doble (3-1) who shutout the Cardinals for 2.1 innings. He allowed only one hit and notched three strikeouts while walking none. Starter Chad Pennington went 3.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with one strikeout in the no-decision.
Taking the loss for the Cardinal was reliever Jeff Bruksch (2-2) who allowed three runs on two hits over 1.1 innings of work. Starter Jason Young went 6.0 innings, allowing five earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.
For the Devils, Mitch Jones, Casey Myers and Dennis Wyrick each tallied two hits on the afternoon. Brooks Conrad led the team with three RBI while Phelps and Phil Downing each knocked in two. Phelps and Downing along with Stanford's John Gall notched homeruns.
The two teams close out the conference series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Packard Stadium. For ticket information, please contact the ASU ticket office at 480-965-2381.