Jan. 26, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- In their final tune-up of the season, the 2002 Arizona State Sun Devil baseball team defeated a group of former players 9-3 in the Annual Alumni Game held at a Sunny Packard Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Providing the big bat for the Sun Devils was sophomore preseason All-American outfielder Rod Allen, who went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a run-scoring double.
The Sun Devil pitching staff also looked solid, with six pitchers combining to allow only four hits and three runs. Junior starter Bryce Kartler allowed just one hit in four innings, while sophomore J.J. Jackson, freshman Miguel Sanchez, sophomore Aaron Klusman, freshman Mark Sopko and junior Robbie McClellan tamed the Alumni bats down the stretch.
The Alumni, who featured Sun Devil All-Americans Dan McKinley, Mitch Jones, Willie Bloomquist, Ryan Bradley and former Major League first baseman Ken Phelps managed only four hits, with no player tabbing a mulit-hit game.
In addition to Allen's solid game at the plate, the estimated crowd of near 1,000 saw several newcomers show why they are wearing the Maroon and Gold. Freshman second baseman Dustin Pedroia (Woodland, Calif.) was 2-for-3 with an RBI and junior third baseman Dennis Wyrick also had two hits.
The 2002 Alumni game also payed special tribute to the 1977 College World Series Championship team. Several players from the 1977 team were in attendance at the game Saturday and all received a mongramed coat honoring their great contribution to the Sun Devil baseball legacy.
The Sun Devils officially open the 2002 season next Thursday (Jan. 31) with a 4 p.m. game against Oregon State at Hohokam Park in Mesa. For ticket information, please call the ASU ticket office at (480) 965-2381. The Devils will also play on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of next week at Hohokam as part of the inaugural Bill Kajikawa Baseball Classic.
--Sun Devil Baseball--