March 16, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. - Mike Leake struck out seven in six innings of work and Brett Wallace went 2-3 with a two-run home run to lead #1 Arizona State to a 7-1 win over Troy and a sweep of the three game series. The Devils improved to 17-0 in front of 2,439 at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.
Leake allowed five hits and one run while not walking a batter to improve to 4-0 on the year. Wallace's homer was his seventh of the season, tying Jason Kipnis for the team lead.
Raoul Torrez got the scoring started in the bottom of the third, hitting a solo shot to left off Troy starter Travis Burge. Petey Paramore would add two more on his double to left to make it 3-0. Ike Davis made it 4-0 when he doubled home Paramore. It was the 10th double of the season for Davis.
ASU would make it 5-0 in the fifth on a Paramoe sac fly before Troy finally broke through in the seventh. Leake gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning before Tommy Rafferty relieved him. After a ground ball moved a runner to third, Troy made it 5-1 with a sacrifice fly. Wallace would cap the scoring in the seventh, sending a shot to right field to make it 7-1. Rafferty pitched the final three innings to earn his second save of the season.
Jake Elmore added two hits for ASU, while Petey Paramore drove in three in the victory. The Sun Devils wore green hats and socks in honor of St. Patrick's Day, the third straight year they have worn them.
The Sun Devils now prepare to host Arizona on Tuesday evening in Tempe. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with FSN Arizona televising the game. The Arizona/Arizona State game is already sold out.