Feb. 4, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State junior starting pitcher Erik Averill struck out a career high 14 batters in a complete-game shutout to lead the No. 9 Sun Devils to a commanding 12-0 victory over New Mexico State Friday evening at Packard Stadium in the third game of the Bob Schaefer Memorial Tournament.
Senior first baseman Jeff Larish added four hits and four RBI as the Sun Devils improved to 2-2 on the season and 1-0 in tournament action. New Mexico State falls to 0-2 on the young season after falling to Oregon State 19-0 Thursday night in the first game of the tournament. Gonzaga beat Oregon State 3-1 in Friday's afternoon game.
Averill (Orange, Calif.) scattered seven hits in his first career complete-game effort and struck out 14 batters to improve to 1-1 on the season. His previous career highs were 7.1 innings and eight strikeouts, both set during his freshman All-American season in 2003. The junior southpaw recorded eight of his 14 strikeouts with called third strikes and has 20 strikeouts in 13.0 innings this season.
Larish (Tempe, Ariz.) made his return to first base after starting the first three games of the season at third base and the entire 2004 season in left field. The senior answered by going 4-for-4 with a triple and four RBI. Senior third baseman Joey Hooft (Reno, Nev.), junior right fielder Travis Buck (Richland, Wash.) and senior catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (Scottsdale, Ariz.) each added two hits in ASU's season-high 15-hit attack.
The Aggies, who have been ranked among the leaders in the NCAA in several offensive categories in the last few seasons, have yet to score a run in two games this season. Center fielder Vince Rodden went 1-for-4 for NMSU and led off the game with a single for the second consecutive night.
The Sun Devils return to action Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Gonzaga (1 p.m.) at Packard Stadium. Senior right-hander Jason Urquidez (0-0, 9.00 ERA) will start on the mound for the Sun Devils against left-hander Jay Bryner. Oregon State (1-1) will take on New Mexico State (0-2) in the night game at 7 p.m.
Game Notes: The 14 strikeouts by Erik Averill are the most by a Sun Devil since Mike Esposito struck out 17 against Washington in 2002 (at Hohokam Park)... the complete-game shutout was the first by a Sun Devil since Jered Liebeck shut down Long Beach State in a 3-0 victory in 2003... senior Jeff Larish started his first game at first base since the Super Regional loss to Cal State Fullerton to end the 2003 season... he started 57 games in left field last season and the first three this year at third base... Larish recorded his sixth career double to lead off the second inning... he recorded his fourth career four-hit game, equaling a career high... ASU already has three triples in four games after having only seven in 59 games last season... freshman Andrew Romine and J.J. Sferra each recorded their first career stolen bases... Sferra stole a pair of bags in the bottom of the sixth inning... ASU started three freshman (Sferra, Romine, Biancamano) and one senior transfer (Hooft)... Hooft made his first career start at third base after playing primarily at second base and in left field the last three years for the University of Miami (Fla.)... redshirt freshman Eric Williams (Carmel, NY) and outfielder D.J. Butler (Benicia, Calif.) made their Sun Devil debuts.
Arizona State 12, New Mexico State 0 (Feb 04, 2005 at Tempe, Ariz.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- New Mexico State.... 000 000 000 - 0 7 2 (0-2) Arizona State....... 012 024 03X - 12 15 0 (2-2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: New Mexico State - Conner; Robinson(5); Hearne(6); McFadden(7). Arizona State - Averill. Win-Averill(1-1) Loss-Conner(0-1) T-2:47 A-2163
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