April 25, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. -
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Leading Off:
After sweeping Louisiana-Lafayette, the Sun Devils host in a mid-week contest before heading to for a three-game Pac-10 series with .
The Sun Devils vs. The Rainbows:
ASU leads the all-time series with 24-18. The teams last met in 1993, when the Devils won three of four in .
The Sun Devils vs. The Golden Bears:
holds a 96-54 edge in the all-time series with . The Devils swept the Bears last season in . took two of three from ASU in in 2005.
Facing Tough Competition:
Of ASU's ten losses this season, nine have come at the hands of teams who have been ranked at some point this season, including one to Vanderbilt, who is the top ranked team in the nation. The Sun Devils also have 16 wins against teams that have been ranked at some point this year, including a 22-8 win over , who has been ranked as high as 7th. Also, seven of the ten losses have been by one run, including an extra inning game with Vanderbilt. ASU has faced or will face seven teams ranked in the Top 25 in the latest ISR rankings on BoydsWorld.com, where the Sun Devils are currently ranked 4th. has 13 teams on their 2007 schedule that are currently ranked or have been ranked at some point this season, continuing the Sun Devil tradition of playing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation. They have already faced four teams that have been ranked in the Top 10 at some point this season.
NCAA RPI:
For the first time, the NCAA has released their RPI for all Division I baseball teams. checks in at #8 in the initial release. The Devils have faced three of the teams in the Top 5: Vanderbilt (#1), A&M (#4) and (#5). ASU has also faced 11 teams in the Top 50.
Lousiana-Lafayette Recap:
The Sun Devils were guarded coming into their weekend series with the Ragin' Cajuns, a dangerous team from the Sun Belt Conference. ASU got started on the right foot Friday night, as Eric Sogard homered in the first innings, setting the tone for the evening. Sogard finished 3-4 while Mike Leake kept the Cajun hitters off balance for seven innings, as picked up an 8-2 victory...The Devils jumped out to an 11-1 lead on Saturday night before a late Louisiana-Lafayette rally put a scare into ASU. The Cajuns scored seven runs over the final two innings before Jason Jarvis nailed down the save. Josh Satow fanned 11 hitters over his seven innings, while Brett Wallace went 4-4 with five RBI, falling a homer short of the cycle...Sunday's game looked like it would be a pitcher's duel for the first four innings, as both clubs traded zeroes. The Devils broke through in fifth, plating four runs to take a 4-0 lead. The Cajuns raged right back, scoring five of their own in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. After Louisiana-Lafayette made it 6-5 in the eighth, Matt Spencer put the Devils up for good with a two-run double, propelling ASU to a 9-6 come-from-behind victory and the series sweep.
The Flash:
In the 9-6 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, Ike Davis, all 6-foot-5 of him, stole home. was on third base in the sixth inning when he broke for home, easily scoring the tying run. was also the current Sun Devil pitcher, meaning the pitcher stole home.
April 21st, Satow's Lucky Day:
Junior lefty Josh Satow is making a habit of turning in great performances on the 21st of April. In 2006, Satow struck a career high ten UCLA Bruins in a 3-2 ASU win. This year, Satow did one better, striking out a new career high 11 in his seven innings of work against the Ragin' Cajuns to pick up his ninth win of the year.
I'm Gonna Knock You In:
Brett Wallace had no trouble putting runs on the board against the Cajuns, as he recorded 11 RBI over the three games. Wallace now has 62 RBI on the year, three shy of last year's team leader, Ike Davis. led the Pac-10 during the regular season with his 65 RBI in 2006.
Johnny Bench Watch List:
Sophomore catcher Petey Paramore has been named to the Watch List for the 2007 Johnny Bench Award, awarded annually to the best collegiate catcher. The ten semi-finalists will be announced on May 17.
Pac-10 Players of the Week:
Four Sun Devils have earned weekly honors from the Pac-10 so far this season, including Kiel Roling twice. Roling and Brett Wallace have both been named Pac-10 Player of the Week while Josh Satow and Brian Flores have both earned Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week recognition.
30 Is Nothing New:
baseball has now topped the 30-win mark for the 45th consecutive season and 47th season overall in school history. Head coach Pat Murphy has never failed to win at least 30 games as a Division I head coach. ASU has the longest 30-win season streak in the nation. has hit the mark 43 straight times, including 2007.
Big League Splash:
Former Sun Devil Travis Buck, who played at ASU from 2003-2005, became the 87th Sun Devil to play Major League Baseball when he started in right field for the Oakland A's on opening day. Buck is one of nine Sun Devils on opening day rosters. He is joined by Barry Bonds (Giants), Willie Bloomquist (Mariners), Paul Lo Duca (Mets), Chris Duffy (Pirates), Ian Kinsler (Rangers), Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox), Andre Ethier (Dodgers) and Jon Switzer (Devil Rays). Switzer is currently on the 60-day DL for . Only USC and have produced more Major Leaguers than .
National Honor Roll Honorees:
Brett Wallace, Matt Spencer, Josh Satow, Petey Paramore, Brian Flores and Kiel Roling have all been named College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll Players of the Week so far this season. Roling has twice earned the distinction.
Quick Hits:
Petey Paramore has been a walks machine so far this season. Paramore has drawn 39 walks already this year, tops in the conference. He was third on the team last season with 34 free passes...Andrew Romine has 15 bunt singles this season...The Challenge at Chase marked the third time in 2007 ASU have played in a Major League facility. They played at , home of the Houston Astros and at Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home of the Texas Rangers and Royals...Sophomore LHP Jeff Urlaub is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery in May. His expected recovery time is 10-16 months...Tim Smith is hitting .422 in the leadoff spot, a role he assumed against Washington on March 28.
500 Club:
Arizona State Head Coach Pat Murphy achieved a coaching milestone against USC, collecting his 500th victory as skipper of the Sun Devils. Earlier this season, Murphy won his 800th career Division I game. ASU's first head coach, Bobby Winkles, totaled 524 wins in his 13 years at ASU. Jim Brock amassed 1,100 victories in his 23 years at the helm. Murphy is in his 13th season at .
Preseason Honors:
Junior second baseman Eric Sogard earned three Preseason All-American mentions, including two First Team honors. Both the NCBWA and Rivals.com had Sogard as a First Team Preseason All-American, while Collegiate Baseball listed him as a Third Team Preseason All-American.
That's The Pick:
In a poll of all Pac-10 baseball coaches, was picked to win the Pac-10 conference. This marks the first time that the Sun Devils have ever been picked to win the conference in the preseason coaches vote. was picked second and Stanford was third.
Fabulous Freshman:
RHP/OF Mike Leake was rated the 39th best freshman in the country by Baseball America as part of their Fabulous 50 Freshmen list. Leake, who is expected to play in the outfield as well as pitch, was a seventh round draft pick of the A's in last year's draft.
Talented Transfers:
The Sun Devils had two transfers make the top ten of Baseball 's Top 25 Transfers list. LHP Brian Flores, who came to ASU from , checked in at #7, while OF Tim Smith, who played the last two years at in , was #10. The list did not include Matt Spencer, who came to ASU from . Spencer had not yet completed his transfer to ASU when the list was released.
You Look Mahvelous!:
The Sun Devils got a surprise during a practice before the season, as actor/comedian Billy Crystal took a break from his performances at Gammage to practice with the Devils. donned the Maroon and Gold, complete with a jersey with his name and #10 on the back, and took part in drills and batting practice. After practice, he invited the coaching staff to his show, "700 Sundays" at Gammage Auditorium.
O Captain! My Captain!:
Head coach Pat Murphy has named junior OF Rocky Laguna the team captain. This is the first time in the 13 years that Murphy has been at ASU that he has named a team captain.
You Complete Me:
LHP Josh Satow did something on February 11 that no Sun Devil pitcher had done since 2005: throw a complete game. Satow's masterpiece against was the first complete game thrown by an ASU pitcher since Erik Averill beat 6-1 on June 22, 2005 in the College World Series. Satow allowed only one run on six hits while fanning eight Cougars. It was only the second complete game in the seven-year history of the Houston College Classic, and the first since the inaugural year in 2001. Not to be outdone, LHP Brian Flores threw his first career complete game against the Kansas State Wildcats, striking out eight in a 6-2 victory on March 14. Satow outdid himself against USC on March 23, throwing a complete game shut out in a 10-0 win over the Trojans. He threw his third complete game of the year against UW.
Up Next:
ASU will enjoy a week off for finals. They will face UCLA for three Pac-10 games beginning May 11.