ASU baseball heads to Tucson to end regular season

May 21, 2008

Leading Off:
After a three game sweep of Washington, Arizona State closes out the regular season with a three-game series in Tucson against in-state rival Arizona. The Sun Devils have clinched at least a share of the 2008 Pac-10 title. Any combination of one ASU win or Stanford loss during the final weekend would give Arizona State its second straight Pac-10 title. Arizona is 36-15, 10-11 in Pac-10 play. They took two of three from Stanford last week.

Devils vs. Arizona:
The Devils hold a 172-112 edge over Arizona since ASU began varsity baseball in 1959. Last season Arizona State went 3-2 against the Wildcats, including two wins in their Pac-10 series that clinched the conference title for the Sun Devils. ASU won the previous meeting this season, beating Arizona 6-5 in Tempe.

40 Win Seasons:
Arizona State won its 40th game of the season on May 11, the fifth time in the past six years it has totaled at least 40 wins. It is the 29th time in school history that the baseball team has hit the 40 win mark and the 46th straight season they have won at least 30 games. It is also the 48th season out of 50 that ASU has won at least 30 games. ASU won 43 regular season games in 2007.

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 211-146 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 (520 in 31 years) and Washington's Ken Knutson (226 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 #2 in Baseball America, #3 by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA and #4 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll and Rivals.com.

Washington Recap:
Washington came into the weekend series with the top ERA in the Pac-10, but they left Packard Stadium battered and bruised, having given up 37 runs to the Devils in a three-game ASU sweep...Friday night was supposed to be a pitchers duel between UW's Jorden Merry and Mike Leake, but Merry lasted 2.2, allowing nine runs on 10 hits. Petey Paramore went 4-5 with a homer in the 13-3 ASU victory, while LeakeJosh Satow was masterful on Saturday, allowing only a run in six innings to pick up the win in the 11-4 triumph. Ryan Sontag, Jason Kipnis, Brett Wallace and Kiel Roling all homered in the win...The Devils mustered only two hits through the first three innings, but scored five in the fourth, breaking open a close game. Ike Davis had three hits and Brett WallaceArizona State's 13-7 win to sweep the series. allowed only one run in eight innings to pick up the victory... hit a grand slam in

Pac-10 Player of the Week:
Kiel Roling was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week, the second time this season he has earned the award. Roling also won the award on April 29. It is the fifth time this season a Sun Devil has won the award. Brett Wallace won opening weekend and Ike Davis won back-to-back weeks in March.

Time To Pick The Field:
Arizona State head coach Pat Murphy is in his second season as a member of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. Murphy will not be traveling to Indianapolis due to the series in Tucson, instead he will be meeting with the committee members via teleconference.

Golden Spikes Semifinalists:
Ike Davis and Brett Wallace have been named semifinalists for the 2008 Golden Spikes Award. Wallace was a semifinalist last season. Arizona State is one of nine schools with more than one semifinalist. ASU has had three Golden Spikes winners, Bob Horner, Oddibe McDowellMike Kelly. and

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. Leake is 9-1 on the year, has 22 career victories and was named a semifinalist for the Roger Clemens Award.

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

Team USA:
Mike Leake was among the initial 12 players selected for the USA National Team Trials to be held over the summer. 32 total players will be invited, with 22 making the final roster. Last year, Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore played for Team USA during the summer.

Powering Up:
Brett Wallace homered twice against the Huskies, giving him 19 on the season, a new career high. He surpasses last season's 16 homers and has now hit 42 long balls in his career, 6th most in Arizona State history. He is two shy of Dan Rumsey (1986-89) for fifth 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. Brett Wallace, 2006-P.......... 42

7. Andrew Beinbrink, 1996-99...... 40

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

9. Mitch Jones, 1999-2000............ 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 in the finale. Brett Wallace and Petey Paramore did it Friday night in the fourth inning, then Mike Leake 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. and

Bull Out Of The Bullpen:
Tommy Rafferty earned a save against Washington, putting his record on the season at 11-0 with four saves. Rafferty is the first Sun Devil since Kaipo Spenser in 1994 to win his first 10 decisions in a season. Rafferty has won all 11 games out of the bullpen, the only pitcher in the country with that many victories all coming without a start. Rafferty is also tied for the second most wins in school history without making a start. Noah Peery went 11-2 in 39 relief appearances in 1994. Only Dave Alexander, who was 12-2 in 30 relief appearances in 1989, has ever won more games in a season without a start. Rafferty leads the Pac-10 with the 11 victories and is tied with Arizona's Daniel Schlereth for first with 30 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.

Graduates:
Six Sun Devils graduated from Arizona State University this month, including five players and one student coach. Greg Bordes, Dustin Brader, Mike Jones, Tommy Rafferty and Ryan Sontag were joined by student coach Derik Olvey at graduation ceremonies. Rocky Laguna graduated last year.

Super Smash Brothers:
Ike Davis and Brett Wallace have combined to hit 74 home runs over their nearly three seasons in Maroon and Gold (32 for Davis, 42 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 375 runs batted in since 2006. Davis and Wallace have both been named semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy. Wallace was a semifinalist last year.

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 returned from injury this weekend, collecting five hits in the three-game series.

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

11. Brett Wallace, 2006-P........ 187

Mr. Double:
Ike Davis is climbing up the school's all-time doubles list. Davis now has 67 doubles in his career, fifth most all-time. Clay WestlakeDavis (1973-76) is the school's all-time leader with 88. has 24 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. Ike Davis, 2006-P............... 67

6. Casey Myers, 1998-2000.......... 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 drawn 50 walks. Paramore now has 137 walks in his career and is only the 22nd Sun Devil to ever draw over 100. The 137 walks is the fifth most in school history. 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. Petey Paramore, 2006-P...... 137

6. Doug Newstrom, 1991-93......... 131

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 338 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 67 pitches this year. Brett Wallace, who has drawn 41 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

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. BaneBane 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. 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.

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

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 a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, one of 12 on 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 will wait and see if they will host a regional for next week's NCAA Tournament.