April 7, 2000
Lefty Jon Switzer pitched eight shutout innings with a career-high 10 strikeouts as No. 4 Arizona State defeated Oregon State 1-0 tonight at Packard Stadium. ASU improves to 29-8 overall, 5-2 in conference play while the Beavers fall to 16-16 on the year, 0-4 in the Pac-10.
With a pitching duel on the mound, ASU would score its only run in the bottom of the second inning. With one out, second baseman Brooks Conrad doubled to right centerfield. He moved to third on a wild pitch by OSU pitcher Thad Johnson. Third baseman Mike Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, scoring Conrad.
Starting pitcher Jon Switzer (7-1) scattered six hits over eight innings with 10 strikeouts. Reliever Eric Doble picked up his team-leading fourth save of the year pitching a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout.
Taking the loss for Oregon State was starter Thad Johnson (2-3) who pitched a three hitter over eight innings allowing only one run with two walks and one strikeout.
Oregon State left 11 runners on base as Switzer worked out of a bases loaded situation twice. The Beavers also turned four double plays for the game.
With tonight's win, ASU moved into a tie for second place in the conference with UCLA. USC moved into sole possession of first with a 5-1 win over the Bruins this evening.
For the Devils, Mitch Jones went 2-for-2 with a walk while Brooks Conrad had a 1-for-2 day at the plate with a hit by pitch. Mike Lopez tallied the only RBI of the game.
ASU and OSU meet on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Packard Stadium in continued action. Taking the mound for the Sun Devils is Chad Pennington while Scott Nicholson is slated to start for the Beavers.
For ticket information, please contact the ASU ticket office at 480-965-2381.