Feb. 15, 2004
SURPRISE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Oklahoma starting pitcher David Purcey allowed only one hit in seven shutout innings and combined with closer Jarod McAuliff to shut out No. 7 Arizona State for the first time in 506 games. The Sooners defeated the Sun Devils 6-0 on Sunday to close out the second annual Coca-Cola Spring Training Classic at Surprise Stadium.
The Devils saw their NCAA record consecutive games scoring streak come to an end after having not been shutout since April 7, 1995 against USC. ASU had combined to go 338-167-1 during the streak, topping the previous NCAA record of 349 set by Coastal Carolina. ASU also suffered its first loss of the year to fall to 5-1 and will look to get back on the winning track Monday with a 7 p.m. game against Gonzaga at Packard Stadium. Oklahoma won its second straight after dropping its season opener against Gonzaga to improve to 2-1.
Purcey, a 6-5 lefty from Dallas, Texas, struck out six and allowed only a swinging bunt single to ASU freshman Colin Curtis in the bottom of the second. A top prospect for the 2004 draft, Purcey gave way to McAuliff in the eighth after throwing 104 pitches. With an up-and-down career mark against the Devils, Purcey, who had two saves against ASU as a freshman and two losses as sophomore, retired 16 in a row after giving up the single to Curtis. McAuliff sealed the win giving up three hits in two scoreless innings.
ASU freshman starter Pat Cassa took the loss despite giving a solid effort in his first career start. The left-hander allowed three runs and five hits in five and a third innings.
The Sooners jumped out to the early lead after a leadoff triple by center fielder Jeff Scuderi. Left fielder Aaron Ivey plated OU's run with a groundout to shortstop.
With Purcey in cruise control, OU added to its lead in the sixth with a three-run frame. Third baseman Matt Bose started the rally with a single and designated hitter Eric Thornton hit a two-run home run to center field to extend the lead to 4-0. OU also added two insurance runs in the ninth to cushion the lead to 6-0.
ASU did not have a batter reach base from the third through seventh innings until catcher Tuffy Gosewisch led off the eighth with a single to center field. ASU had its best scoring chances in the eighth and ninth innings. All-American shortstop Dustin Pedroia grounded out back to the pitcher with runners on first and second in the eighth and Curtis also grounded out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
Junior All-American Jeff Larish, Gosewisch, Curtis and Persichina each had singles for the Devils. Scuderi solidified his spot on the all-tournament team by going 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. Thornton also had two hits for the Sooners.
After taking on Gonzaga Monday, the Devils travel to Houston, Texas for the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by defending national champion Rice at Reckling Park. ASU takes on Lamar (Friday, 2:30 p.m.), Memphis (Saturday, 6 p.m.) and the No. 1 Owls (Sunday, 2:30 p.m.). Oklahoma 6, Arizona State 0 (Feb 15, 2004 at Surprise, Ariz.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oklahoma............ 100 003 002 - 6 9 0 (2-1) Arizona State....... 000 000 000 - 0 4 1 (5-1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Oklahoma - Purcey, D.; McAuliff, J.(8). Arizona State - Cassa; Bresnehan(6); Andes(6); Bordes(8). Win-Purcey, D.(1-0) Loss-Cassa(0-1) T-2:41 A-1370 HR OKLA - Thornton, E. (1). --Sun Devil Baseball--