April 25, 2004
PULLMAN, Wash. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Washington State first baseman Grant Richardson capped a five-run sixth inning with a three-run double to lead the Cougars to a come-from-behind 8-4 victory over No. 18 Arizona State Sunday afternoon at Bailey-Brayton Field.
The victory spoiled ASU's chances for a series sweep, falling to 28-13 overall and 7-8 in Pac-10 play. Washington State ended a seven-game losing streak to the Sun Devils, improving to 23-15 overall and 5-7 in conference play. ASU took the first two games of the series 17-5 and 5-2 and have now won nine of its last 11 road Pac-10 series.
Reigning Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week Garrett Alwert picked up the victory on the mound giving up four runs and 12 hits in 7.1 innings. Alwert walked three and struck out five to improve to 4-1 on the year. Senior reliever Brandon Hundt closed out the win with 1.2 perfect innings.
"We had a chance to break the game open early, but didn't do it and let their guy (Alwert) settle into a groove," said 10th year head coach Pat Murphy. "We gave up a lot of free bases on the mound and didn't play good defense. You can't do those things if you want to win games."
Arizona State sophomore left-hander Erik Averill (Orange, Calif.) was saddled with the tough-luck loss, giving up five runs (two unearned) and only five hits in five and a third innings. Freshman reliever Pat Bresnehan (Sherborn, Mass.) continued his wildness, walking three and allowing the big three-run double in only two-thirds of an inning. Junior reliever Ty Marotz (Crystal Lake, Ill.) closed out the game with two scoreless innings.
After the Devils left a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the first, the Cougars took the early lead with a single tally their first at-bat. First baseman Grant Richardson lined a one-out single up the middle to score James Freeman to give WSU its first lead of the series. Averill escaped any further damage by getting Zach McAngus to ground into an inning-ending double play.
ASU responded with a pair of runs in the second to take the 2-1 lead. A leadoff walk to catcher Tuffy Gosewisch and a double to the right field gap by Jeff Larish put runners in scoring position. After Chris Cook struck out, freshman second baseman Joe Persichina plated both runners with a single to right field.
The Devils added runs in the third and fourth innings to extend their lead. Junior shortstop Dustin Pedroia tabbed a two-out double in the fourth to score ASU's fourth run.
The Cougars battled back with a pair of unearned runs in the third and fourth innings off Averill. A pair of two-out errors by the Sun Devils lead to each runs. Shortstop Justin McClure pulled the Cougs to with one run with a two-out single to left field in the fourth.
Trailing 4-3, Washington State retook the lead with a five-run sixth inning. The Cougars scored the five runs only two hits while sending nine batters to the plate in frame. Bresnehan allowed a pair of runs to score on his wildness, with a wile pitch and a bases loaded walk. Richardson then made the Devils pay with a bases loaded double off the right field fence to extend the lead to 8-4.
ASU out-hit the Cougars 13-7 in the game, but left nine runners on base in the loss. Junior third baseman Josh Asanovich (Gold Canyon, Ariz.) led the Sun Devils going 3-for-5. Larish went 2-for-4 with his 16th double of the year. Washington native Travis Buck (Richland, Wash.) was 2-for-5 with a pair of bunt singles. Pedroia added his Pac-10 leading 20th double of the year.
Richardson led the Cougars going 2-for-3 with four RBI. Leadoff hitter Kaeo Rubin added two hits in the victory and scored a run.
The Sun Devils return to action on Tuesday and Wednesday with a pair of non-conference games at No. 10 Wichita State. Both games can be heard live in the Phoenix area on KDUS 1060 AM and over the internet at www.TheSunDevils.com. Washington State 8, Arizona State 4 (Apr 25, 2004 at Pullman, Wash.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona State....... 021 100 000 - 4 13 2 (28-13, 7-8 Pac-10) Washington State.... 101 105 00X - 8 7 0 (23-15, 5-7 Pac-10) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Arizona State - Averill; Bresnehan(6); Marotz(7). Washington State - Alwert; Hundt(8). Win-Alwert(4-1) Loss-Averill(2-2) T-2:39 A-843 --Sun Devil Baseball--