April 18, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. - A seven-run eighth inning lifted the No. 2 Arizona State University baseball team to a dramatic, come-from-behind 7-2 victory over Stanford on Saturday at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. A crowd of 3,950 saw the Sun Devils move to 27-8, 12-2 in the Pac-10, on the season with the win.
Trailing 2-0 going into the bottom of the eighth, the Sun Devils put together a thrilling rally against Stanford closer Drew Storen. Drew Maggi led off the inning with a triple, Jason Kipnis was hit by a pitch and Carlos Ramirez walked to load the bases with no outs. Matt Newman then singled to right to bring in ASU's first run of the game, and Jared McDonald then followed him with a two-run double to the right field corner to put the Devils on top.
After Johnny Ruettiger was intentionally walked, a wild pitch by Storen brought Newman home from third. Zack MacPhee then walked to load the bases, and two batters later, Maggi drove in all three runners with a single on a 3-2 count.
Mike Leake got the win on the mound, going eight innings and allowing eight hits and two runs with nine strikeouts to improve to 9-1 on the season. It was Leake's 33rd career win as a Sun Devil, tying him for fifth on the school's all-time wins list with Jim Crawford.
Stanford starter Jordan Pries kept the Sun Devils at bay for seven innings, allowing only two hits and no runs with 10 strikeouts, but he ended up with a no decision. Storen took the loss, dropping to 3-1 on the season.
The Sun Devils and Cardinal will complete their three-game series on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.