June 16, 2007
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OMAHA, Neb. - The Sun Devils played long ball in their first game of the 2007 College World Series, homering three times to beat the UC Irvine Anteaters 5-4 in front 19,638 at Rosenblatt Stadium. A solo shot by Ike Davis in the bottom of the eighth was the difference, as ASU improved to 49-13 on the year.
Mike Leake got the start on the hill for the Devils, lasting seven innings and allowing four runs. He did not factor into the decision. Jason Jarvis pitched the final two innings, striking out three and not allowing a hit to get the win and improve to 2-2 on the year.
Matt Spencer, who played in Omaha last year with North Carolina, put the Devils up 3-0 in the second with his ninth home run of the season, a three-run shot to right off Scott Gorgen.
UC Irvine took a 4-3 lead in the fourth, scoring four times against Leake. CJ Retherford tied things up in the bottom of fifth with a solo homer to left center, his fourth of the year. All four have come in the postseason.
With the game tied in the eighth, it was Ike Davis who stepped up and delivered the biggest hit of the ballgame. Davis hammered a 1-1 Gorgen offering to the right field seats, giving Arizona State a one run lead. It was the last batter Gorgen faced and was Ike's eighth round-tripper of the year.
Jarvis walked a batter in the ninth but was able to get the Eaters after that, nailing down the victory for the Sun Devils. Arizona State had only nine hits, three of which were homers. Eric Sogard had three hits of his own, while Ike Davis and Matt Spencer each had two hits.
Arizona State will now play Monday night at 4 p.m. Arizona time against the winner of tonight's Oregon State/Cal State Fullerton match-up.