Feb. 16, 2007
SURPRISE, Ariz. - Friday night in Surprise the Sun Devils offense came out with a bang but went out with a whimper as the Missouri Tigers upset Arizona State 3-2 at the Coca-Cola Classic at Surprise Stadium. The loss drops ASU to 6-2 on the year. It is Arizona State's fifth consecutive loss in the Coca-Cola Classic.
Brett Wallace started things off on the right foot for the Devils in the bottom of the first, homering to right to give ASU an early 1-0 lead. They would make it 2-0 in the second when Jarred Bogany drove home Petey Paramore with a single to left.
It looked as if that would be all starter Josh Satow would need, as he cruised through the first seven innings without allowing a run. The Sun Devil offense would also go quiet however, and it remained 2-0 heading to the eighth.
The Tigers loaded the bases after a pair of walks and a base hit, chasing Satow from the ball game. He gave way to Matt Trink, who struck out the first batter he faced to make it two gone in the inning. But the next batter Trink faced, Tigers 1B John McKee sent a shot off the left field wall, clearing the bases and making it 3-2.
The Sun Devils were unable to muster any offense over the final two innings, as Bogany struck out with the bases loaded and two gone to end the game.
Satow (2-1) was the hard luck loser, as he went 7.1 innings, allowing only five hits and striking out eight. All three Tiger runs were charged to Satow. Greg Forgia (1-1) earned the victory for the Tigers, pitching the final 2.1 innings, allowing only two hits and fanning three.
ASU takes the field again on Saturday afternoon, when they face the defending National Champion Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers suffered their first loss of the year earlier in the day, falling to Gonzaga 6-5 in the opening game of the Coca-Cola Classic. Gonzaga and Missouri will start things off Saturday at 11 a.m., followed by ASU/OSU at 3 p.m. from Surprise Stadium.