March 28, 2002
MESA, Ariz. -- After trailing 8-1 after three innings, the University of Washington used a big eight-run seventh inning to help lead the Huskies to a come-from-behind 14-11 victory over 15th-ranked Arizona State Thursday night in Pac-10 baseball action at Hohokam Stadium.
With a line score normally resembling a Sunday game in the Pac-10, both teams combined for 25 runs, 26 hits and 21 runners left on base in the three-hour, 42 minute marathon. Junior center fielder Jay Garthwaite led the Huskies at the plate going 2-for-6 with five RBI, including a bases loaded double in the Huskies big seven-run seventh inning. He also belted his team-leading eighth home run in the fourth inning.
Arizona State sophomore first baseman Jeremy West was a triple short of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-6 with a career-high tying four RBI. West hit his team-leading seventh home run of the year and also had a two-run double in ASU's loss. Leadoff hitter Steve Garrabrants was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI and Jon Sheaffer and Dustin Pedroia both chipped in a pair of three-hit games for ASU.
Washington's third consecutive win improves the Huskies to 12-8-1 on the year and are off to a 1-0 start in Pac-10 play. Now losers of two straight, ASU drops to 18-10 on the year and 2-2 in conference play. The win by UW snaps a streak in which ASU had won eight of the last nine, including six straight. ASU still leads the series 9-4 dating back to 1998.
Taking a commanding 8-1 lead after the first three innings, including a five-run first inning, the Devils seemed to be in control when starter Robbie McClellan left with an 8-4 lead at his back after six innings. But the Sun Devil bullpen endured three rough innings giving up 10 runs, including a big seven-run seventh inning to give UW their third straight win.
Down 8-4, the Sun Devils surrendered its biggest inning of the year, with the Huskies tabbing eight runs in the seventh to take a 12-8 lead. UW scored five runs before recording an out to take a 9-8 lead and then added three more to put the game away. Garthwaite provided the big blow with a three-run double with to right field off reliever Bryce Kartler. Sending 12 batters to the plate in the inning, Washington also got run scoring singles from shortstop Tila Reynolds, catcher Ben Johnson and left fielder Brandon Jacobson.
ASU did not get a spectacular start from Robbie McClellan, but the junior pitched well enough, leaving the game after six strong innings with a 8-4 lead at his back. McClellan recorded the no-decision, allowing four runs on seven hits in his six innings. Kartler took the loss for the second consecutive game to fall to 2-3 on the year. In three innings, the ASU bullpen of Mark Sopko, Kartler, J.J. Jackson, Aaron Klusman and Carlos Arguello was roughed up for 10 runs on seven hits, walking five and hitting three batters. Sopko, Kartler and Jackson all did not record an out in their brief appearances in the seventh inning.
UW starter Sean White was the big beneficiary of the eight-run seventh inning, putting his shaky eight-runs and eight hits in six innings behind him. White recorded the win to even his record at 2-2, while hard-throwing junior Tyler Shepple earned his fourth save of the year by striking out four in 2.2 innings.
The Devils wasted little time putting runs on the board, scoring five in their opening at-bat. Sending nine batters to the plate, West led the way with a three-run home run to left-center field. Back-to-back triples from freshman shortstop Pedroia and senior center fielder Sheaffer capped the scoring to give the Devils the early 5-0 lead.
West doubled home another run in the second and leadoff hitter Steve Garrabrants tripled down the right field line to plate two more run runs, giving ASU a 8-1 advantage.
The Devils scored two in the seventh and would put the tying run in scoring position with one out in the eighth inning, but couldn't get any runs in with Sheaffer striking out and Dennis Wyrick grounding out to second base to end the potential threat. ASU also brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth with no results. West flied out to deep center field to end the game for the Devils.
The Sun Devils and Huskies continue the three-game Pac-10 series tomorrow (Friday) at 6 p.m. at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa. The Devils will send ace Mike Esposito (5-3, 2.62) to the hill against Husky freshman David Dowling (0-1, 2.63). The two teams will conclude the series Saturday at 1 p.m.
Game Notes: ASU used its 20th lineup of the year and 12th in as many games... Jeff Larish made his first career start at designated hitter... sophomore Steve Garrabrants made a return to second base after playing only two games (both at DH) in the last eight contests... with the five runs in the first frame, ASU has now scored in the first inning in 17 of their 28 games the year... the five runs was also the biggest scoring first inning of the year for ASU... Sheaffer's first-inning triple was the first of his career... the three triples were a season high... the six pitchers used were also a season high... ASU is now 14-3 when leading after six innings.
Washington 14, Arizona State 11 (Mar 28, 2002 at Mesa, Ariz.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Washington.......... 010 210 811 - 14 14 3 (12-8-1, 1-0 PAC-10) Arizona State....... 512 000 210 - 11 12 1 (18-10, 2-2 PAC-10) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Washington - White, Gibson(7), Shepple(7). Arizona State - McClellan, Sopko(7), Kartler(7), Jackson(7), Klusman(7), Arguello(8). Win- White(2-2) Save- Shepple(4) Loss- Kartler(2-3) T-3:42 A-2881 HR WASH - Garthwaite (8). HR ASU - West (7).
--Sun Devil Baseball--