May 7, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State freshman starting pitcher Mike Esposito has been named the Pac-10 Baseball Pitcher of the Week for April 30-May 7, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today from Walnut Creek, Calif.
Esposito, a redshirt freshman from Las Vegas, earned the win in ASU's 15-1 route of then No. 19 Tennessee. The hard-throwing right-hander threw six shutout innings at the Volunteers, striking out six and allowing only two infield singles. The start for Esposito vs. Tennessee, who is coming off Tommy John surgery last March, was his 10th in 2001, but it was ironically scheduled to be his initial return from the arm injury.
The fifth round draft choice of the Cincinnati Reds in 1999 is now 4-2 on the year with a 3.64 ERA. In his 10 starts this year Esposito has a 3.47 ERA with opposing hitters batting only .257 off of him. He has struck out six batters in six of his last eight starts. He is scheduled to start Saturday's series opener vs. the University of Washington Huskies.
The Pitcher of the Week honor is the first of Esposito's career and the 42nd selection overall in ASU baseball history. Senior third baseman Mike Lopez won the Pac-10 Player of the Week honors last week for ASU's first Pac-10 award of the season.
The No. 19 Sun Devil baseball team (31-16-1) returns to Pac-10 play this weekend with a crucial conference series at Washington (Saturday-Monday, all at 1 p.m.) ASU is currently tied with Oregon State for fourth place in the league with a 9-9 record.
Career statistics for: Mike Esposito
Year ERA W-L APP GS CG SHO/CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2000.... 5.00 1-0 2 2 0 0/0 0 9.0 8 6 5 6 14 2001.... 3.64 4-2 13 10 0 0/0 0 54.1 51 23 22 20 51 TOTALS.. 3.84 5-2 15 12 0 0/0 0 63.1 59 29 27 26 65
Copy By Jeff R. Evans
ASU Media Relations