May 27, 2005
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State senior starting pitcher Jason Urquidez worked seven strong innings and junior third baseman Travis Buck went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and three runs scored to lead the No. 22 Sun Devils to a 8-2 victory over Washington State Friday night at Winkles Field at Packard Stadium.
The Cougars held tough against ASU trailing only 3-2 after six innings, but the Sun Devils erupted for four runs in the seventh and one more in the eighth to bring the game to the final score of 8-2.
The Sun Devils won their second straight games to improve to 32-22 overall and 13-9 in Pac-10 play. The Cougars fall to 21-35 overall and 1-21 in Pac-10 play.
Urquidez (Simi Valley, Calif.) scattered seven hits and two runs in seven-plus innings to improve to 8-4 on the season. He tied teammate Erik Averill for the team lead with eight wins and recorded his 20th career win in two seasons with the Sun Devils. Over his last eight starts, Urquidez has allowed just 16 earned runs in 47.1 IP (3.04 ERA). Junior left-hander Brett Bordes (Mesa, Ariz.) closed out the win with two scoreless innings.
WSU freshman starter Jayson Miller kept the Cougars in the game allowing only three runs through the first six innings, but gave up three of the four runs in the seventh inning. He struck out three and walked five while recording the loss to fall to 2-6 on the season. Relievers Brett Sommer (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, SO) and Steve Kost (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R) also saw action for Wazzu.
Buck (Richland, Wash.) recorded his team-leading 30th multi-hit game of the season and now has hits in 17 of his last 18 games to increase his team-leading batting average to .384. He recorded his fourth multi-double game this season and stole his 20th and 21st bases of the year. Sophomore outfielder Colin Curtis (Issaquah, Wash.) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and also stole a pair of bases. Senior catcher Tuffy Gosewisch (Scottsdale, Ariz.) broke out of an 0-for-9 slump going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
WSU leadoff hitter Kaeo Rubin led the Cougars at the plate going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI.
The Cougars got on the scoreboard first in the third inning with a pair of two-out, run-scoring doubles from Rubin and left fielder Jay Miller. Second baseman Jeff Miller led off the inning with a walk and scored on Rubin's double to the left field gap and then scored on Jay Miller's double down the right field line.
ASU tied it in the bottom half of the third two-out, two-run rally of its own. Buck doubled to right field and Curtis drew a walk to keep the rally alive. Freshman designated hitter Willy Fox (Scottsdale, Ariz.) drilled a ball of the right field fence for a triple to plate both runners and tie the game at 2-2.
The Sun Devils took the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a on a double to the left field gap by freshman shortstop Andrew Romine (Lake Forest, Calif.). Gosewisch singled to right with one out, moved to second on a groundout by center fielder J.J. Sferra (Phoenix, Ariz.) and scored the go-ahead run on the double by Romine.
Leading 3-2 in the seventh, pinch-hitter Joey Hooft (Reno, Nev.) came up with a clutch two-run single and Gosewisch followed with a two-run single to right field to extend the lead to 7-2.
Buck doubled in the eighth, stole third base and then scored on a Curtis single to left field to bring the game to the final score of 8-2.
The Sun Devils and Cougars continue the three-game Pac-10 series Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Packard Stadium. Junior left-hander Erik Averill (8-4, 3.72 ERA) is scheduled to face WSU sophomore right-hander Wayne Daman Jr. (7-5, 4.92 ERA).
Game Notes: Senior Jeff Larish batted in the leadoff spot for the first time in his career... he becomes the eighth player to hit in the leadoff spot for ASU this season... senior catcher Tuffy Gosewisch nailed his sixth base runner trying to steal in the last seven attempts... Travis Buck recorded his team-leading 30th multi-hit game of the year and his second game with two or more steals... his two doubles give him 21 on the year and marked the fourth time this season he has hit two or more doubles in a game... Colin Curtis extended his hitting streak to eight games with his 22nd multi-hit game of the year... Jason Urquidez and Erik Averill each have 20 career wins, marking the first time since current Tampa Bay Devil Ray LHP Jon Switzer (1999-2001) that a Sun Devil has had 20 wins in a career.
Arizona State 8, Washington State 2 (May 27, 2005 at Tempe, Ariz.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Washington State.... 002 000 000 - 2 9 0 (21-35, 1-21 Pac-10) Arizona State....... 002 100 41X - 8 11 0 (32-22, 13-9 Pac-10) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pitchers: Washington State - Miller, Jayson; Sommer(7); Kost(8). Arizona State - Urquidez; Bordes, B.(8). Win-Urquidez(8-4) Loss-Miller, Jsn(2-6) T-2:55 A-2043
--Sun Devil Baseball--