Jan. 27, 2006
TEMPE, Ariz. - The 2006 Arizona State Sun Devil baseball season opened up Friday night at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark, it just didn't start the way the Sun Devils had hoped. The Cal State Northridge Matadors, thanks to a dominating pitching performance by Craig Baker and an eight run fifth, shocked the 12th ranked Sun Devils 13-2 in the season opener.
Freshman lefty Ike Davis, making his first collegiate start, looked superb in the first inning, striking out two Matadors, then knocking in the game's first run with a single to left. The game appeared to be a pitcher's duel after neither team could push a run across after the bottom of the first, but the Matadors had other ideas in the fifth inning. Jorge Andrade, Jr. got the inning started with a single to right off of Davis. Davis hit Kris Kasarjian, then induced a fly out by Rodney McMahon. Scott Lyons then doubled down the left field line, knocking in two and giving CSUN a 2-1 lead. After an RBI double by Todd Shelton, Davis was replaced by Tony Barnette. It didn't get any better for ASU, as the Matadors would score six more times to take an 8-1 lead heading in to the bottom of the fifth.
That was all the cushion Baker would need, as he cruised until the seventh inning, giving up only one more run. He threw 6.1, allowing six hits and two runs while fanning seven to earn the opening night victory. Davis went 4.1, allowing five hits, four runs and striking out five. He also went 2-4 with an RBI in his first game as a collegian.
The Devils will continue their three-game series with the Matadors tomorrow afternoon, when it will be Zechry Zinicola on the hill for the Sun Devils. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM from Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.