Feb. 11, 2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. - Thanks to a school-record tying 15 walks issued by ASU pitchers and the bat of Cole Gillespie, the #2 Oregon State Beavers shut out ASU 11-0 Saturday at Surprise Stadium in the Fourth Annual Coca-Cola Classic. Earlier in the day, Gonzaga beat Nevada 11-5. Once again it was the big inning that bit the Devils, as they allowed three runs in the third and four runs in the sixth, while failing to plate a run in the loss.
Oregon State starter Jonah Nickerson threw five innings of three hit ball, while Joe Paterson and Brian Budrow closed out the shut out for the Beavers. ASU was held to scoreless on only five hits, one night after crossing home only once in a 9-1 loss to Gonzaga. Gillespie was 4-5 in the leadoff spot, scoring four runs for the Beavers.
But the real story of the game was the Devil's inability to throw strikes. The 15 walks surrendered equals an ASU record set first in 1987 versus UCLA, then equaled in 1991 against Texas. Starter Pat Bresnehan, who had been so dominant in his first two starts, struggled against the second ranked Beaver offense. Bresnehan lasted 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. He also walked six batters. All told, eight ASU hurlers toed the rubber on Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach Pat Murphy missed the final three innings of the game after he was ejected in the top of the sixth for arguing balls and strikes.
Bresnehan took the loss, dropping his record to 2-1. The Devils, who fall to 5-3, have lost two games in Surprise for the first time ever. Jonah Nickerson picks up his first win for the Beavers, who now sit at 2-0 on the year. OSU will take on Gonzaga tomorrow morning at 11 AM, while ASU will close out the Coca-Cola Classic when they meet up with Nevada at 3 PM. Drew Bowman is scheduled to get the start for Arizona State, who will look to end a two-game losing streak.