April 29, 2008
TEMPE, Ariz. -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Leading Off:
After splitting a two-game series at #15 Cal State Fullerton and sweeping #6 Cal at home, the Arizona State Sun Devils hit the road once again for a three-game Pac-10 series with UCLA at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bruins are 22-17, including a 6-6 mark in Pac-10 play. They play at Pepperdine on Tuesday and host Loyola Marymount on Wednesday.
Devils vs. UCLA:
holds a 103-60 edge over the Bruins in the all-time series. ASU swept the three-game series in last year. UCLA won two out of three in 2006 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.
Lights, Camera, Action:
Saturday night's contest will be televised by FSN to a national audience. Barry Tompkins and College Baseball Hall of Famer Jerry Kindall will call the action. The Devils were also on TV against on March 18.
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.
200 Club:
With the win over Stanford on April 4, head coach Pat Murphy recorded his 200th career victory in Pac-10 play. Murphy now holds a 206-145 career mark in conference action, including conference titles in 2000 and 2007. Murphy has the third most Pac-10 victories among active coaches, trailing Stanford's Mark Marquess (518 in 31 years) and 's Ken Knutson (221 in 15 years). Murphy is in his 14th season at .
Facing Tough Competition:
The Sun Devils will face one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2008. 13 of their opponents are or have been ranked at some point this season, including ten who have spent time in the top ten. is in the midst of a stretch that will see it play 18 of 19 games against teams that have been ranked at one point this season.
Rankings:
is ranked #3 in Collegiate Baseball and #4 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, the NCBWA poll, Baseball and Rivals.com.
Recap:
The Sun Devils and Titans renewed their rivalry at Goodwin Field for a two-game midweek series. ASU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first on Tuesday, but the Titans battled back to take a lead in the second off starter Josh Satow. The Devils tied things up in the third, but scored three times in the sixth to take back the lead. The Devils tied it with a run in the seventh and two in the eighth, but the Titans took the walk off 10-9 win with a two-out RBI single in the ninth off Ike Davis. stranded 15 runners in the loss...Wednesday was another instant classic, only this time the Sun Devils turned the tables on the Titans. Cal State Fullerton led 8-4 in the fourth, but some key hits by Roling, Brett Wallace and Ryan Sontag allowed ASU to tie it and send it to extra innings. Lights out relief pitching by Reyes Dorado and Tommy Rafferty allowed to win it with a two-run single in the tenth, giving Arizona State the 10-8 win.
Cal Recap:
Arizona State showed great patience at the plate during a three-game sweep of the Bears, scoring 40 runs, pounding out 31 hits and drawing 33 walks...Facing Cal ace Tyson Ross on Friday, the Devils scored three in the first and one in the second, but found themselves trailing 5-4 after Cal got to starter Mike Leake. Leake would settle down, allowing only two more Golden Bear runs, while the ASU offense heated up. Sontag, Wallace and Roling all had two hits as the offense scored seven runs between the fifth and eighth to give ASU the 11-7 win. Leake went the whole way, picking up his seventh win of the season and his second complete game...Mike Leake was the difference again on Saturday, this time with his bat, as his three-run triple in the seventh lifted ASU to another 11-7 win. Leake had four RBI and scored twice while starting at first base...The Devils jumped on early in the finale, scoring 10 runs in the second on their way to an 18-2 win in seven innings and the series sweep. Jason Kipnis drove in four as eight of the nine starters had at least an RBI in the blowout win.
20-Game Winner:
Sophomore Mike Leake picked up his 20th career victory with his complete game win over the Golden Bears on Friday night, becoming only the ninth Sun Devil in history to win at least 20 games in their second year in . Leake is also only the fourth to do it as a sophomore, joining Ken Jones (1978-79), Kendall Carter (1981-82) and Doug Henry (1983-84). It was Leake's second complete game this season and fourth of his career.
20-Game Winners In First Two Seasons At ASU
Jeff Pentland, 1966-67
Eddie Bane, 1971-72
Jim Otten, 1972-73
Ken Jones, 1978-79*
Kendall Carter, 1981-82*
Doug Henry, 1983-84*
Linty Ingram, 1987-88
Jason Urquidez, 2004-05
Mike Leake, 2007-08*
*- Freshman and Sophomore years
Pac-10 Player of the Week:
Kiel Roling has been named the Pac-10 Player of the Week, the third time in his career he has won the award. Roling went 9-17 (.529) with a home run and 10 RBI for ASU during its 4-1 week. He had at least one RBI in all five games, including three in the 10 inning win over Cal State Fullerton. He also was walked eight times and scored seven runs. It's the fourth time a Sun Devil has won the award this year. Ike Davis has won twice and Brett Wallace has won once.
Graduates:
Five Sun Devils will graduate next week, including four players and one student coach. Greg Bordes, Dustin Brader, Tommy Rafferty and Ryan Sontag will be walking in graduation ceremonies, and they will be joined by student coach Derik Olvey. Rocky Laguna graduated last year.
Super Smash Brothers:
Ike Davis and Brett Wallace have combined to hit 67 home runs over their nearly three seasons in Maroon and Gold (32 for , 35 for Wallace). The two have homered in the same game seven times in their career, including twice this season. Davis and Wallace have also combined for 352 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. Ike has five career multi-homer games, all of which have come this season and he has a 4-1 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 62 RBI, three short of his career high, also set in 2006. has 188 RBI in his career, good for 10th place on the school's all-time list. currently leads the nation in RBI (62), 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............ 188
Mr. Double:
Ike Davis is climbing up the school's all-time doubles list. now has 64 doubles in his career, tying him with Casey Myers (1998-2000) for fifth all-time. Clay Westlake (1973-76) is the school's all-time leader with 88. has 21 this year after hitting 23 last season. The 21 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
Ike Davis, 2006-P................ 64
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 42 walks. Paramore now has 129 walks in his career and is only the 22nd Sun Devil to ever draw over 100. The 129 walks is the sixth most in school history, two more than Mike Kelly (1989-91). 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. Petey Paramore, 2006-P... 129
7. Mike Kelly, 1989-91............... 127
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 24 appearances already this season, tops in the conference. Rafferty's eight wins are also most 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 297 so far this season, including a whopping 47 against Cal State Fullerton and Cal. During the series finale with the Golden Bears, the Devils drew 16 walks, two short of the school record set in 1959. The Sunday game with was called in the seventh inning. 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 51 pitches this year. Brett Wallace, who has drawn 38 walks, has also been given the intentional free pass a team leading six times.
Are You Experienced?:
Entering the 2008 season, the Sun Devils had only 12 players on their roster with Pac-10 Baseball experience. Of those 12, only four were pitchers. ASU has used eight pitchers this season who had no prior Pac-10 experience, as well as nine position players who had never played in the Pac-10 before. Mike Leake, Josh Satow, Ike Davis, Brett Wallace, Ryan Sontag, Petey Paramore and Kiel Roling were the only returners with significant starting experience
Howser Trophy Watch List:
Three Sun Devils have landed on the Howser Trophy Watch List, the award given to the top player in the nation. Brett Wallace, Mike Leake and Ike Davis are all on the initial list for the award, which is presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Wallace was a Semi-Finalist for the award last season.
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. Kiel Roling was named Pac-10 Player of the Week this week.
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:
travels to to face and before returning home for a three-game set with Loyola Marymount.