April 22, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Leading Off:
After a 1-2 weekend against , State hits the road for a two-game midweek series with Cal State Fullerton before returning to to host the California Golden Bears in a weekend Pac-10 series. The Titans enter the midweek series ranked #15, 23-13 on the year. The Titans swept a three-game series at Pacific over the weekend. #6 is 26-10, 7-5 in Pac-10 play after taking two of three from in over the weekend. The Bears and Devils are tied for second in the Pac-10, one game behind Stanford.
Devils vs. :
ASU holds a 25-23 edge in the all-time series with the Titans. Their last meeting was in the 2005 Super Regional at Goodwin Field, which the Sun Devils won two games to one. This will be the first regular season meeting between the two teams since 2002, although they faced each other in the NCAA tournament in 2003 (Super Regional in Fullerton), 2004 (Regional in Fullerton) and 2005 (Super Regional in Fullerton).
Devils vs. :
holds a 97-56 advantage over the Golden Bears in the all-time series. took two of three at Evans Diamond last season, but was swept by ASU in during the final weekend of the regular season in 2006.
30 Win Seasons:
The Sun Devils won their 30th game of the year on April 13 against , marking the 46th consecutive season baseball has won at least 30 games. It is also the 48th season out of 50 that ASU has won at least 30 games.
Rankings:
is ranked #4 in Collegiate Baseball and in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, #5 in the NCBWA poll, #6 in Baseball and seventh in Rivals.com.
Recap:
The Sun Devils scuffled most of the weekend, dropping two of three to the two-time defending national champion Beavers...ASU was no hit for seven inning on Friday, but was able to rally in the eighth, only to see Oregon State score five times in the ninth to win it 6-4...With no Ike Davis on Saturday, the Sun Devils mustered only six hits in a 12-3 loss...ASU got back on track Sunday, pounding out 12 hits and 15 runs in a 15-12 win. Brett Wallace and Ike Davis each homered, while had three RBI to go along with Ryan Sontag's two.
Proving Ike's Value:
Ike Davis was limited on Friday night against , and the impact was certainly felt by . could not pitch Friday, leaving ASU without a closer. The Devils could not hold a ninth inning lead and ended up losing the game. With not in the lineup on Saturday, the offense struggled in the loss. But he returned on Sunday, hitting a three-run homer and picking up the save with 3.1 innings of relief work, proving just how valuable he is the Sun Devils.
Super Smash Brothers:
Ike Davis and Brett Wallace have combined to hit 65 home runs over their nearly three seasons in Maroon and Gold (32 for , 33 for Wallace). They each had a homer on Sunday against , marking the seventh time the two have homered on the same day in their careers. It was the second time it happened this season, joining the March 20 game against . Davis and Wallace have also combined for 345 runs batted in since 2006.
Ike Davis The Man-Child:
Junior Ike Davis is turning in another stellar season, something ASU fans have become accustomed to over his three years in Maroon and Gold. Despite missing Saturday's game, RB-Ike had another great weekend, homering and driving in four runs and picking up a save. Ike has five career multi-homer games, all of which have come this season and he has a 4-0 record on the mound with four saves. has 15 homers on the season, extending his career high. His previous high was nine, which he did during his Pac-10 Freshman of the Year campaign in 2006. He also has 61 RBI, four short of his career high, also set in 2006. has 187 RBI in his career, good for 10th place on the school's all-time list. currently leads the nation in RBI (61), Slugging Percentage (.868) and is tied for first in doubles (20). He is second in homers (15) and total bases (125).
Most RBI, ASU History
1. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 283
2. Casey Myers, 1998-2001.. 275
3. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 250
4. Jeff Larish, 2002-05......... 235
5. Bob Horner, 1976-78........ 229
6. Antone Williamson, 1992-94..... 203
7. Alvin Davis, 1979-82........ 200
8. Mike Kelly, 1989-91.......... 194
Ken Landreaux, 1974-76.... 194
10. Ike Davis, 2006-P......... 187
Mr. Double:
Ike Davis is climbing up the school's all-time doubles list. now has 63 doubles in his career, leaving him one shy of Casey Myers (1998-2000) for fifth all-time. Clay Westlake (1973-76) is the school's all-time leader with 88. has 20 this year after hitting 23 last season. The 20 doubles is tied for second most in the nation.
Most Career Doubles, ASU History
1. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 88
2. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 75
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2002-04.... 71
4. Antone Williamson, 1992-94..... 70
5. Casey Myers, 1998-2000.. 64
6. Ike Davis, 2006-P.......... 63
7. Dan Rumsey, 1986-89...... 58
8. Jeff Phelps, 1998-2001..... 57
Jeff Larish, 2002-05.......... 57
Walk This Way:
Petey Paramore led the Pac-10 in bases on balls last season, totaling 53 in 64 games. His good eye has continued so far in 2008, as he has already drawn 36 walks. Paramore now has 123 walks in his career and is only the 22nd Sun Devil to ever draw over 100. The 123 walks is the seventh most in school history, one more than Barry Bonds (1983-85). Alvin Davis (1979-82) is the all-time leader with 207.
Most Career Walks, ASU History
1. Alvin Davis, 1979-82........ 207
2. Jeff Larish, 2002-05......... 200
3. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99 154
4. Clay Westlake, 1973-76.... 148
5. Doug Newstrom, 1991-93.. 131
6. Mike Kelly, 1989-91.......... 127
7. Petey Paramore, 2006-P 123
8. Barry Bonds, 1983-85....... 122
9. Willie Bloomquist, 1997-99. 119
Rick Peters, 1974-77......... 119
Just Keep On Using Me:
Senior righty Tommy Rafferty has been one of the Pac-10's most dependable relievers out of the bullpen. Rafferty has made 22 appearances already this season, tops in the conference. Rafferty's six wins ties him for most victories in the Pac-10. He transferred to ASU from , where he made 19 appearances all of 2006. He sat out 2007 after did not grant him his release. Rafferty was named to the midseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award.
Wall Ball:
Only 22 players have ever hit a ball over the Green Monster at Packard Stadium, and three of them are on the current roster. Last season, Brett Wallace did it and earlier this season Jason Kipnis did it. Ike Davis joined the list against UC Irvine on March 23. All the more impressive, broke his bat on the swing. 16 of the 22 players to clear the wall were Sun Devils.
Keeping A Weather Eye:
is drawing a ton of walks as a team, drawing 250 so far this season, including 24 against . Last season they drew 319 free passes as a team. The school record for bases on balls in a season is 482, set in 1982. The Devils have also been hit by 42 pitches this year.
30-Game Starts:
The 2008 Sun Devils went 28-2 during their first 30 games, matching the 2003 Sun Devils for best start through the first 30 games of a season in school history. The 2003 team finished the year 54-14, falling to Cal State Fullerton in three games at the Fullerton Super Regional.
Players of the Week:
Ike Davis has been named to the 's National All-Star Lineup four times, including three straight weeks, and was named a Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week. He was also named Pac-10 Player of the Week consecutive weeks, the first person since Travis Buck in 2004 to earn that distinction. Brett Wallace was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week following opening weekend and Marcel Champagnie was a National All-Star on March 4.
Call To The Hall For Bane and Bannister:
Legendary Sun Devil pitchers Eddie Bane and Floyd Bannister have been named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Bane pitched for ASU from 1971 to 1973, recording a 40-4 career record with a 1.64 ERA. He threw the only perfect game in Sun Devil history, striking out 19 in a 9-0 win over Cal State Northridge in 1973. Bane is the school's leader in career strikeouts, fanning 535 in his three seasons in Maroon and Gold. Floyd Bannister went 38-6 with a 1.88 ERA from 1974 to 1976, throwing 29 career complete games, second most in school history. He won 19 games in 1976, tied for the school single season record, and struck out an ASU record 217 in 1975. He was the #1 overall pick in the 1976 MLB draft. Bane and Bannister join Bobby Winkles, Jim Brock and Bob Horner as Sun Devils in the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Family Matters:
Freshman OF/LHP Matt Newman has Maroon and Gold in his blood. His father, Randy, was a pitcher for the Sun Devils in 1981 and 1982, winning 15 career games and the 1981 National Championship. Freshman catcher Andrew Pollak is the brother of former Sun Devil football great Mike Pollak, who played center for the Devils from 2004 to 2007. Mike was a two-time All-Pac-10 performer. Andrew wears number 76, the same number Mike wore on the gridiron. UTL Mike Murphy is no relation to head coach Pat Murphy, although he is the first player named Murphy Pat Murphy has ever coached. New assistant coach Josh Holliday is the son of former head baseball coach Tom Holliday and the brother of current Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.
2008 Pre-Season Honors:
ASU has several pre-season All-Americans on its roster. Brett Wallace and Josh Satow were both named First Teamers by the NCBWA as well as Collegiate Baseball. Petey Paramore joined them on the NCBWA list. Mike Leake was named a Second Team selection by both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball. Kiel Roling was named to the Second Team by the NCBWA. Ike Davis was a Third Team selection by both the NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball. Wallace, Davis and Paramore were all named Second Teamers by Baseball .
Pac-10 Picks:
The Sun Devils were picked to finish second in the Pac-10 in the annual preseason coaches poll. ASU got three first place votes, while was picked to win with six first place votes. won the Pac-10 last season. finished second.
Golden Spikes Watch List:
Ike Davis, Petey Paramore and Brett Wallace have all been named to the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Watch List. ASU has had three Golden Spikes winners, Bob Horner, Oddibe McDowell and Mike Kelly.
Wallace Award Watch List:
has four players on the Wallace Award Watch List. Brett Wallace, Josh Satow, Mike Leake and Petey Paramore are all on the initial list. Wallace was Semi-Finalist for the award last season.
Captain and the Bench Award Watch List:
Head coach Pat Murphy has named junior catcher Petey Paramore as the captain of the 2008 Sun Devils. Paramore has also been named to the Watch List for the Johnny Bench Award, the third straight year he has made the list.
Coach Murphy Honored:
Pat Murphy has been inducted into the Florida Atlantic University Baseball Hall of Fame. Murphy played for the Owls from 1981 to 1982, then coached three years at the school.
Honoring Pat Tillman:
Former ASU football player and American Hero Pat Tillman had strong ties to the ASU Baseball program. In addition to his brother Kevin playing for ASU, Pat became extremely close with head coach Pat Murphy. Murphy wears jersey #42 in honor of Tillman, and in January 2007, Murph donated $100,000 to the baseball program for the construction of the Tillman Training Room, a room that will honor both Pat and Kevin and their commitment to both and the . The team wears a memorial "PT*42" patch on their jerseys in honor of Pat.
Up Next:
heads to to face the UCLA Bruins in a three-game Pac-10 series at Jackie Robinson Stadium.