March 7, 2003
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State freshman outfielder Travis Buck went 5-for-5 with seven RBI and hit for the cycle as the No. 3/4 Sun Devils defeated Southern Utah 19-0 in seven innings in the third game of the second annual Bob Schaefer Memorial Classic Friday night at Packard Stadium.
Buck, a freshman from Richland, Wash., capped his perfect night with a grand slam home run as part of an eight-run sixth inning to become ASU's first player to hit for the elusive cycle since Mitch Jones recorded the rare feat on May 21, 2000 at Arizona. Buck, ASU's normal starting left fielder who was making only his second start in right field, had a single in the first, a double in the third and a triple in the fifth before connecting on his second home run of the year for the cycle. He also added a run-scoring single in the fourth and tied a career high with two stolen bases.
ASU's most decisive win of the year extended the current winning streak to 17 games (ASU's longest since a 23-game streak in 1990) and improved the Sun Devils to 26-1 overall, extending the best start in school history. Now 0-21 all-time vs. ASU, Southern Utah dropped to 2-3 on the year with the loss.
Posting ASU's fifth shutout of the year (fourth combined shutout), sophomore starter Mark Sopko (Joliet, Ill.) scattered five hits in five innings and struck out four to improve to 3-0. Senior Carlos Arguello (Albuquerque, N.M.) contributed a scoreless inning of relief (two strikeouts) and redshirt freshman Matt Leaf (Peoria) closed out the win with one strikeout in the seventh.
In addition to the big game from Buck, the Devils wrapped out a season-high 21 hits en route to the 19-0 win. Sophomore shortstop Dustin Pedroia (Woodland, Calif.) recorded his 18th multi-hit game of the year by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. The 2002 Team USA member drilled his Pac-10 leading 16th double of the year and extended his current hitting streak to 15 games.
Junior second baseman Steve Garrabrants (Phoenix) was 3-for-3 with three RBI and equaled his season high with two stolen bases. Sophomore third baseman Frank Mesa (Yuma) also continued his torrid streak at the plate going 3-for-4 with three runs scored to increase his season batting average to .414 (24-for-58). Andre Ethier (Phoenix) was also 2-for-4 and junior Rod Allen (Culver City, Calif.) knocked in two runs on a 2-for-5 performance.
The Thunderbirds were led by the two hits from leadoff hitter Ryan Duvall (2-for-4). Starting pitcher Matt Shepherd was saddled with the loss giving up five runs (four earned) in three and two-thirds innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Arizona State (26-1) returns to action tomorrow night with a 7 p.m. game against Utah (7-6). Southern Utah faces Cal State Northridge at 1 p.m. tomorrow to continue the annual Bob Schaefer Memorial Classic. CS Northridge beat Utah 9-8 in Friday's first game. Senior right-hander Jered Liebeck (4-0, 2.11 ERA) will start for ASU against the Utes. Game Highlights: ? Travis Buck goes 5-for-5 with seven RBI and hits for cycle. Grand slam in sixth caps cycle. ? The cycle is ASU's first since Mitch Jones hit for the cycle on May 21, 2000 vs. Arizona. ? ASU improves to 26-1 overall and has won 17 straight games dating back to loss to Long Beach State on Jan. 31. ? Dustin Pedroia goes 3-for-4 for his 18th multi-hit game of the year. He is 7-for-9 (.778) on the weekend with four doubles. ? Pedroia is now hitting .447 with hits in 26 of ASU's 27 games this year and has a current 15-game hitting streak. ? ASU has now scored in double-digits in nine straight games and 16 games overall in 2003. ? ASU scored in its 460th straight game to extend its NCAA record. ? The Sun Devils now lead the all-time series with Southern Utah 21-0. ? Buck's slam was ASU's eighth grand slam of the year. (NCAA record is 12 by Oklahoma State in 1996) ? Franks Mesa goes 3-for-4 with three runs scored. ? Steve Garrabrants goes 3-for-3 with two SB and three RBI. ? ASU registers fifth combined shutout of the year.
Arizona State 19, Southern Utah 0 (Mar 07, 2003 at Tempe, Ariz.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern Utah....... 000 000 0 - 0 5 2 (2-3) Arizona State....... 011 368 X - 19 21 0 (26-1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Southern Utah - Shepherd; Roche(4); Matthews(5); Bunker(6); Anderson(6). Arizona State - Sopko; Arguello(6); Leaf(7). Win-Sopko(3-0) Loss-Shepherd(0-2) T-2:48 A-2632 HR ASU - Buck (2). --Sun Devil Baseball--