May 9, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. -

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Leading Off:

After splitting their final set of midweek games, Arizona State returns home to face the Loyola Marymount Lions in their final non-conference series of the year. The Devils fell 7-6 at Kansas State on Tuesday, but bounced back to beat #10 Wichita State 6-1 at Eck Stadium. LMU is 22-26, 6-12 in the West Coast Conference.

 

Devils vs. LMU:

Arizona State holds a 36-6 advantage over the Loyola Marymount Lions in a series that dates all the way back to 1971, when it was known as Loyola University in Los Angeles. The two schools last met in 2002, with the Sun Devils sweeping a three-game series from the Lions in Tempe.

 

30 Win Seasons:

The Sun Devils won their 30th game of the year on April 13 against Washington State, marking the 46th consecutive season Arizona State 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 208-146 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 Washington's Ken Knutson (224 in 15 years). Murphy is in his 14th season at Arizona State.

 

Facing Tough Competition:

The Sun Devils will face one of the toughest schedules in the country in 2008. 14 of their opponents are or have been ranked at some point this season, including 11 who have spent time in the top 10. 

 

Rankings:

Arizona State is ranked #3 in Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America and #4 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll, the NCBWA poll and Rivals.com. The Sun Devils were ranked #4 in the NCAA RPI rankings that were released at the beginning of the week.

 

Kansas State/Wichita State Recap:

The Sun Devils got a quality start from Jason Franzblau, but it was not enough as they fell 7-6 at Kansas State on Tuesday. Franzblau allowed four runs and struck out six in his five innings, but ASU couldn't hold on as they fell to the Wildcats. Brett Wallace and Mike Leake each had three hits in the loss...Wednesday ASU and the Shockers had to wait out a 60 minute rain delay at Eck Stadium before the highly anticipated match-up could get underway. When it finally started, Matt Newman made his first collegiate start, going 6.2 innings and allowing only a single run to lead Arizona State to a 6-1 win. Newman allowed five hits and fanned two before giving way to Mike Leake, who earned the save. Leake also added two hits, as did Kiel Roling.

 

20-Game Winner:

Sophomore Mike Leake picked up his 20th career victory with his complete game win over the Golden Bears on April 25, becoming only the ninth Sun Devil in history to win at least 20 games in their second year in Tempe. 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

 

The Franchise:

ASU fans knew Mike Leake could pitch, but he has also shown he can do just about everything else as well. Leake has been filling in at first base for the injured Ike Davis, and filling in well. Leake hit his first career homer against UCLA on May 4, then followed that up with his second homer two days later at Kansas State. Since taking over for the injured Davis on April 26, Leake has gone 10-17 (.588) with two doubles, two homers, a triple and eight RBI. He has also drawn five walks, scored eight times and played perfect defense at first, second, shortstop and in the outfield. He also struck out 10 against UCLA on May 2 and picked up the save against Wichita State on May 7.

 

Hello, Newman:

While waiting out a 60 minute rain delay at Wichita State, head coach Pat Murphy decided to give freshman Matt Newman the start on the mound against the 10th ranked Shockers. Newman had pitched only two innings out of the bullpen, but showed he can be a major factor for the ASU pitching staff. Newman threw 6.2 innings of outstanding baseball, allowing only one run on five hits while striking out two to earn his first career victory. He pitched himself out of several jams like seasoned veteran, then went out to play right field after leaving the mound.

 

Powering Up:

Brett Wallace collected three homers over the weekend at UCLA, including two in the series clincher on Sunday. That gives him 38 long balls for his career, tying him with Mitch Jones (1999-2000) for 8th most in Arizona State history. He is one shy of Casey Myers (1998-2001) for seventh on the list. Bob Horner is the all-time leader, leaving the yard 56 times from 1976 to 1978.

      Most Career Home Runs, ASU History

      1. Bob Horner, 1976-78............ 56

      2. Jeff Larish, 2002-05.............. 51

      3. Mike Kelly, 1989-91............... 46

      4. Barry Bonds, 1983-85........... 45

      5. Dan Rumsey, 1986-89.......... 44

      6. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99.. 40

      7. Casey Myers, 1998-2001...... 39

      8. Mitch Jones, 1999-2000........ 38

         Brett Wallace, 2006-P......... 38

 

Academic All-District:

Junior Petey Paramore and sophomore Mike Leake were each named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII selections. With the selections, they are both eligible for Academic All-American status. Paramore was a First Team Academic All-Pac-10 selection last season.

 

Visiting With The Home Run King:

The Sun Devils got a surprise visit from former ASU star and Major League Baseball Home Run King Barry Bonds on May 2 at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Bonds, who lives by the UCLA campus, watched ASU take batting practice from the dugout and shared some hitting tips and stories with the current Devils. He cheered on ASU to the victory Friday night from the stands while wearing an ASU hat.

 

So Nice Do It Twice:

Apparently the meeting with Barry Bonds worked for Arizona State, as they hammered 10 homers against the Bruins. They hit back-to-back homers three times, including twice on Sunday. Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore did it Friday night in the fourth inning, then Mike Leake and Raoul Torrez did it in the third inning on Sunday. Jason Kipnis and Wallace did it again in the fifth inning on Sunday. The Devils hadn't hit back-to-back homers since May 19, 2006, when Ike Davis and Brett Wallace did it in Tucson against Arizona.

 

Mr. X (As In 10):

Tommy Rafferty picked up two wins over the weekend for ASU, putting his record on the season at 10-0. Rafferty is the first Sun Devil since Kaipo Spenser in 1994 to win his first 10 decisions in a season. Rafferty has won all 10 games out of the bullpen. He leads the Pac-10 with the 10 victories and is tied with Arizona's Daniel Schlereth for first with 26 appearances. Rafferty transferred to ASU from Angelo State, where he made 19 appearances all of 2006. He sat out 2007 after Angelo State did not grant him his release. Rafferty was named to the midseason watch list for the Stopper of the Year Award. He is the only reliever in the country with all 10 victories coming out of the bullpen.

 

Graduates:

Five Sun Devils will graduate this 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 70 home runs over their nearly three seasons in Maroon and Gold (32 for Davis, 38 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 359 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. Davis 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. Davis has 188 RBI in his career, good for 10th place on the school's all-time list. He has missed the past seven games due to injury.
       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. Davis 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. Davis has 21 this year after hitting 23 last season.

      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 43 walks. Paramore now has 130 walks in his career and is only the 22nd Sun Devil to ever draw over 100. The 130 walks is the sixth most in school history, one short of Doug Newstrom (1991-92) for fifth place. 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... 130

      7. Mike Kelly, 1989-91............... 127

      8. Barry Bonds, 1983-85........... 122

      9. Willie Bloomquist, 1997-99... 119

         Rick Peters, 1974-77.............. 119

 

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, Davis broke his bat on the swing. 16 of the 22 players to clear the wall were Sun Devils.

     

Keeping A Weather Eye:

Arizona State is drawing a ton of walks as a team, drawing 313 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 Cal 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 58 pitches this year. Brett Wallace, who has drawn 39 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.

 

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 Oklahoma State head baseball coach Tom Holliday and the brother of current Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.

 

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 Arizona was picked to win with six first place votes. Arizona State won the Pac-10 last season. Arizona 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:

Arizona State has four players on the Wallace Award Watch List. Brett Wallace, Ike Davis, Mike Leake and Tommy Rafferty are all on the current 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 Arizona State University and the United States of America. The team wears a memorial "PT*42" patch on their jerseys in honor of Pat.

 

Up Next:

Arizona State hosts the Washington Huskies in the final Pac-10 home series of the year.

 

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